Towards Cognitive Radio Networks: Spectrum Utilization Measurements in Suburb Environment

International audienceThis paper deals with spectrum utilization measurements in the frequency band from 100 MHz up to 3 GHz. The measurement is based on the energy detection principle using wideband logarithmically periodic antenna. The results point out the fact, that the frequency spectrum is not utilized in an optimal manner and that there do exist less or more utilized licensed frequency bands that could be possibly used by cognitive radios in an opportunistic way. Cognitive radio concept for better spectrum utilization is introduced here along with an overall approach regarding spectrum utilization in the next generation wireless networks