A Cluster-Based Cooperative Spectrum Sensing Strategy to Maximize Achievable Throughput

In this paper, a novel cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) strategy is proposed for cognitive radio networks (CRN) with imperfect reporting channels. This CSS strategy uses simultaneously four techniques to overcome undesirable effects of reporting channels, which are errors and overhead traffic. First, it uses an energy efficient clustering algorithm to maximize the CRN lifetime. Second, in each cluster, an incremental weighing fusion rule is used to improve the accuracy of local sensing performed by secondary users. Third, it selects more reliable improved decisions for sending to the fusion center, to decrease overhead traffic. Fourth, it employs a space–time block code to reduce the probability of errors in reporting channels. We determine the optimal settings of the proposed strategy, such as number of clusters, and their corresponding members by maximizing the achievable throughput of the CRN. Numerical and simulation results will prove the proposed CSS strategy yields the highest throughput for the CRN, while it guarantees the maximum lifetime of CRN, and maximum protection of primary users.