Signature Based Spectrum Sensing Algorithms for IEEE 802.22 WRAN

TLDR

Spectral sensing of ATSC DTV signals in VHF/UHF TV bands at very low SNR is a core technology of IEEE 802.22 WRAN, and the multiple embedded signatures in these signals can be exploited for spectrum sensing. This paper presents several signature‑based spectrum sensing algorithms. The authors analytically derive the false‑alarm rates for the detectors and evaluate their operating characteristic curves through computer simulations using ATSC A/74 DTV signal captures. Signature‑based spectrum sensing algorithms reliably detect desired signals, providing high confidence that detected signals are indeed the target signals rather than noise.

Abstract

Spectral sensing for the presence of ATSC DTV signals in VHF/UHF TV bands under a very low SNR environment is one of the core technologies in IEEE 802.22 WRAN. There are multiple signatures embedded in the ATSC DTV signals and these signatures can be utilized to perform spectrum sensing. Signature-based spectrum sensing algorithms have an advantage in that when the signals other than noise are detected, we are almost sure that they are signals we want to detect. Thus, in this paper, several signature based spectrum sensing algorithms are presented. The false alarm rate for detectors employing different algorithms is analytically derived. The operating characteristic curves for different detectors are determined from computer simulations using ATSC A/74 DTV signal captures as a test database.