A Queueing Framework for Channel Allocation Protocol in Multi-user Multi-channel Cognitive Radio Network

Abstract

In order to optimize the efficiency of radio resource utilization in the cognitive radio network (CRN), the channel allocation protocol plays a crucial role. However, how to build a general and adaptable framework for the design and evaluation of the protocol, especially in a complex context, such as multiuser multi-channel CRN, is still a open issue. A channel allocation framework based on queueing theory is introduced in this paper. A mechanism with flexible and configurable features, namely distribution probability matrix, is applied to implement and evaluate channel allocation protocols. This framework can provide various comprehensive performance evaluations, such as average queue length, throughput and delay, to carry out protocol evaluation. Moreover, the performance metrics of all the users are obtained independently and simultaneously. Using this framework, a modified maximum rate protocol, namely maximum throughput protocol, is implemented and comprehensive performance evaluation compared to the maximum rate protocol is carried out. The convenience and effectiveness of this channel allocation framework is revealed by the modeling process and numerical results.