Performance evaluation of sequential spectrum handoff in cognitive radio networks: a single‐user case

Powerful spectrum handover schemes enable cognitive radios to exploit transmission opportunities in primary users’ channels appropriately. In this paper, modeling and performance evaluation of sequential spectrum sensing strategy are addressed. To this end, the average number of handovers required for finding a transmission opportunity is evaluated assuming that a prior knowledge of the presence and absence probabilities of the primary users is available. Moreover, the average throughput maximization of a secondary user by optimizing its spectrum sensing time is formulated, and a set of illustrative numerical results is then presented to validate the analytical analysis.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.