Deconstructing and reconstructing Medium Access Control : the anatomy of a Cognitive Radio MAC

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Medium Access Control (MAC) for Cognitive Radio (CR). What is meant by the term can however be unclear. What CR MACs have been shown to do in the literature does not follow any one clear definition, nor is it based on any one understanding or set of principles. This variation and difference in understanding leads to difficulty in comparing solutions and identifying novelty. In short there appears to be no systematic way in which to define a CR MAC. Nor does there appear to be a systematic way in which to design a CR MAC. In addition there are limited examples of real working prototypes. While this in part may be due to a lack of interest on the part of individual researchers, it could also be concluded that the lack of systematic approaches mitigates against realisation of solutions.