Impact of mobility in cooperative spectrum sensing: Theory vs. simulation

This work addresses the problem of cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks, focusing on the impact of mobility on performance of cooperative sensing. First, a review of the most recent results on cooperative spectrum sensing is provided, resulting in the identification of measurement correlation and frame error rate in the reporting channel as the main parameters influencing the performance of cooperative sensing schemes. Next, the paper discusses the extension of the analysis to the case of mobile sensors, and determines the set of assumptions made in existing literature when taking into account mobility in sensing. The paper moves then to remove some of such assumptions, by presenting simulation results obtained in presence of realistic models for propagation in the considered area, as well as of a realistic mobility model. A comparison between theoretical derivation and simulation results shows that correlation among measurements taken by different sensors and the selected mobility model may significantly affect the sensing performance. © 2012 IEEE.