An agent-based simulation framework for cognitive radio studies

The constantly growing number of wireless devices and applications makes efficient spectrum utilization critical. Cognitive radio technology offers a solution by employing opportunistic and adaptive selection of transmission parameters and communication strategies. Due to the lack of general simulation tools available for analyzing cognitive radio networks, we propose an agent-based framework for cognitive radio studies. Unlike existing simulation tools, our design facilitates modeling of the physical environment along with the behavior of a network of cognitive radios. The inclusion of real-life spectrum occupancy data collected by the IIT Spectrum Observatory brings the modeled environment very close to reality. Additionally, because of its agent-based nature, our framework enables to study emergent and behavioral aspects of large and heterogeneous cognitive radio networks, an important factor that is being constantly neglected. Preliminary results show that presented solution is promising, but requires more development.