A Comparison of Spectrum-Sensing Algorithms Based on Eigenvalues

Cognitive radio has been attracting increased attention as an effective approach to improving spectrum efficiency. One component of cognitive radio, spectrum sensing, has an important relationship with the performance of cognitive radio. In this paper, after a summary and analysis of the existing spectrum-sensing algorithms, we report that the existing eigenvalue-based semi-blind detection algorithm and blind detection algorithm have not made full use of the eigenvalues of the received signals. Applying multi-antenna systems to cognitive users, we design a variety of spectrum-sensing algorithms based on the joint distribution of the eigenvalues of the received signal. Simulation results validate that the proposed algorithms in this paper are able to detect whether the signal of the primary user exists or not with high probability of detection in an environment with a low signal-to-noise ratio. Compared with traditional algorithms, the new algorithms have the advantages of high detection performance and strong robustness.