Cognitive Radio: Issues and Challenges

With the rapid growth in wireless communication, the available spectrum is being congested day by day. For the efficient utilization of the limited spectra, Cognitive Radio System (CRS) plays an important role that has ability to dynamically adapt its parameters and protocols as per the surrounding environment and from its past experiences. Grounded on Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology, its main motive is to provide additional flexibility and improved efficiency in overall spectrum utilization. But the design and implementation part suffers from many issues and challenges. This paper reviews an overview of issues and challenges in CRS. Some key research issues and challenges are pointed, especially implementation challenges in Cognitive Radio (CR) focusing on RF front-end, transceiver, and A/D and D/A interfaces which still act as blockades in CRS development. Index Terms – Cognitive Radio, Issues and Challenges, Spectrum Sensing, Spectrum Management, Security, ADC/DAC