Busy tone based coexistence algorithm for WRAN and WLAN systems in TV white space

Abstract

TV White Space (TVWS) refers to frequency band reserved only for licensed terrestrial TV broadcasting and is opened to unlicensed use under regulatory conditions. While regulations protect licensed systems from interference, interference among unlicensed systems is left mainly to manufacturers. Consequently, there is a need to develop new coexistence approaches between TVWS networks. Busy tone broadcasting is a coexistence method, which can be used by TVWS networks to announce the selected frequency band is occupied. In this paper, a busy tone based coexistence algorithm is proposed for IEEE 802.11af and IEEE 802.22 networks and analyzed by considering different client distributions experiencing log-normal shadowing, where the exact interfering packet rate and successful packet transmission rate expressions are obtained and validated by simulations for different scenarios. The results show that with the proposed coexistence approach, a WLAN can reliably detect the busy tone signal to change its frequency band and can reduce interference to WRAN. Even if there is no available frequency band for the WLAN, the WRAN still maintains its enhanced successful packet transmission performance. The deployment of the proposed algorithm is important for successful coexistence between cognitive wireless networks, where interference is not regulated, such as in TVWS bands.