A Spectrum Sensing Algorithm for White Spaces Detection Validated in Real Environments

Cognitive Radio Systems have been proposed as the solution to spectrum scarcity, and Spectrum Sensing a good way to detect which frequencies are being used by primary users and avoid interferences. When primary signals are unknown, energy detection is the best while easiest technique for the sensing process. In this paper, we consider energy detection based spectrum sensing for narrowband signals in the TV wideband. Simulations are performed to obtain ROC curves. Designed detector has been validated both with signals generated in the laboratory and with real signals captured from the radio space.