Novel threshold formulation for energy detection method to efficient spectrum sensing in cognitive radio

Cognitive radio (CR) is an upcoming technology in wireless communications. Available spectrum used by licensed user is called as primary user (PU). Unused licensed spectrum is called spectrum hole. CR i.e., unlicensed user is called as secondary user (SU). The important task to the CR is to efficiently use the available spectrum without disturbing PU. The success of CR depends on spectrum sensing efficiency. In energy detection method, we have compared the energy of the samples with threshold (denoted as λ). If the sample energy is greater than the threshold, we say the signal is present; otherwise, the signal is absent. This method does not require any prior information of the signal, so energy detection is a popular sensing method due to its simplicity. Through this paper, we would like to propose a novel threshold formulation for energy detection method to efficient spectrum sensing in cognitive radio. Proposed formulation avoids Q inverse function; also, this formulation is independent of number of samples. With rigorous analysis of the proposed formulation for different SNRs, it gives better results compared to other systems. © 2018, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.