Review: Effective Solutions for Challenges in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio technology (CRNs) will be the fundamental driving force behind the next generation (5G) mobile communication systems as it provides the optimal solution for the problem of spectrum scarcity via dynamic spectrum usage. The CRNs, however, pose several key challenges such as network management, spectrum allocation, and access, energy efficiency, interference, cost, spectrum sensing, security, and quality of service (QoS). In this chapter, the authors undertake a comprehensive analysis of 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications collated from 2017 to 2018 April that examine cognitive radio networks to identify practical solutions proposed to overcome critical challenges in this field. Nine distinct challenges were considered: network management, spectrum allocation, and access, energy efficiency, interference, cost, spectrum sensing, security, and QoS. The analysis demonstrates that the majority of research work related to CRN focuses on approaches to improve network management and, specifically, optimization of networks.