A joint optimization of energy harvesting and spectrum sensing for wireless sensor networks under Middleton Class A noise

Abstract

With the growing popularity of wireless sensor networks, the environment in which the network is located becomes more undesirable. In addition, the problems of spectrum scarcity and the short sensor lifetime have become increasingly prominent. In this article, we incorporate the two technologies of cognitive radio and energy harvesting to solve the above problems of wireless sensor networks under impulsive noise. First, we use a Middleton Class A noise model to imitate the practical environment and the fractional lower order moments detector is employed to perform spectrum sensing for the sensors of wireless sensor networks, which are performing as the second users. Second, a new time-slots structure is proposed for the self-powered second user and the analytical expression of the second user’s average throughput is derived. Finally, we maximize the second user’s average throughput by a joint optimization of the sensing duration and data transmission duration while giving the primary user sufficient protection. Simulation shows that a much better performance can be achieved by fractional lower order moment detector than the traditional energy detector. Moreover, our optimization of the time-slots allocation is feasible and the maximum second user’s average throughput can be obtained.