Spectrum occupancy validation and modeling using real-time measurements

Existing research have considered Beta distribution in modeling channel occupancy of primary users in a licensed spectrum. This paper is the first initiative in validating this basic assumption in the cognitive radio paradigm using real-time measurements performed in Aachen, Germany on the 1500 MHz spectrum centered at 770 MHz. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is applied as a validation approach. The result of this test conforms to the validity of the Beta distribution modeling of spectrum occupancy. With this channel occupancy model, we have extended our research in modeling spectrum availability by proposing a new Poisson-normal approximation method. Further, we characterize available channels in a spectrum into five different types based on occupancy of its two adjacent channels. The probabilistic modeling of each of these types is determined using recurrence relations. Simulation results show that channel type classification and their modeling facilitate preferable selection of one section compared to another section over an operating spectrum.