Capabilities of Cognitive Radio Networks

1. Cognitive Capabilities

Spectrum Sensing: possibility to individuate spectrum holes

Spectrum Sharing: possibility of sharing spectrum under the terms of an agreement between a licensee and a third party. Parties may eventually be able to negotiate for spectrum use on an ad hoc or real-time basis, without the need for prior agreements between all parties

Location Identification: ability to determine the MT location and the location of other transmitters, and then select the appropriate operating parameters such as the power and frequency allowed at its location

Network/System Discovery: for a cognitive radio terminal to determine the best way to communicate, it shall first discover available networks around it

Service Discovery: service discovery usually accompanies with network/system discovery

2. Self-Organized capabilities

Spectrum/Radio Resource Management:  manage and organize spectrum holes information among cognitive radios

Mobility and Connection Management:  due to the heterogeneity of CRNs, routing and topology information is more and more complex. Good mobility and connection management can help neighborhood discovery, detect available Internet access and support vertical hand-offs, which help cognitive radios to select route and networks
Trust/Security Management: trust is thus a prerequisite for securing operations in CRNs.