Implementation of Spectrum Sensing for Cognitive Radio using Software Defined Radio

Objective: To design and implement a real-time spectrum sensing system using software-defined radio for dynamic spectrum access in cognitive radio networks.

Problem & Impact: The explosive growth of wireless communication in India has led to spectrum scarcity, inefficient utilization, and interference, particularly affecting telecom operators, rural broadband providers, and emergency services requiring reliable, interference-free spectrum access.

Solution & Approach: This project proposes using software-defined radio (SDR) platforms to implement energy detection-based spectrum sensing, enabling cognitive radios to dynamically identify and utilize underutilized frequency bands. The system will be prototyped using USRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) hardware and GNU Radio, with algorithms developed for real-time spectrum analysis.

Key Features & Deliverables: The deliverables include a functional prototype demonstrating real-time detection of spectrum holes in the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz ISM bands, a comparative analysis of sensing algorithms, integration with a cognitive radio decision module, and a live demonstration using SDR hardware. Comprehensive documentation, a technical paper, and performance metrics such as probability of detection and false alarm rates will be presented.

Industry/Societal Impact & Scalability: This solution can help Indian telecom companies, spectrum regulators, and rural ISPs enhance spectrum efficiency, reduce interference, and enable scalable deployment of cognitive radio networks for 5G/6G and IoT applications, supporting India's move toward smarter, more resilient communication infrastructure.