In this work, the problem of relay selection and resource power allocation in one- way and two-way cognitive relay networks using half duplex channels with different relaying protocols is investigated. Optimization problems for both single and multiple relay selection that maximize the sum rate of the secondary network without degrading the quality of service of the primary network by respecting a tolerated interference threshold were formulated. Single relay selection and optimal power allocation for two-way relaying cognitive radio networks using decode-and-forward and amplify-and-forward protocols were studied. Dual decomposition and subgradient methods were used to find the optimal power allocation. The transmission process to exchange two different messages between two transceivers for two-way relaying technique takes place in two time slots. In the first slot, the transceivers transmit their signals simultaneously to the relay. Then, during the second slot the relay broadcasts its signal to the terminals. Moreover, improvement of both spectral and energy efficiency can be achieved compared with the one-way relaying technique. As an extension, a multiple relay selection for both one-way and two-way relaying under cognitive radio scenario using amplify-and-forward were discussed. A strong optimization tool based on genetic and iterative algorithms was employed to solve the 
formulated optimization problems for both single and multiple relay selection, where discrete relay power levels were considered. Simulation results show that the practical and low-complexity heuristic approaches achieve almost the same performance of the optimal relay selection schemes either with discrete or continuous power distributions while providing a considerable saving in terms of computational complexity.

In this thesis, we investigate two different system infrastructures in underlay cognitive radio network, in which two popular techniques, cross-layer design and cooperative communication, are considered, respectively. In particular, we introduce the Aggressive Adaptive Modulation and Coding (A-AMC) into the cross-layer design and achieve the optimal boundary points in closed form to choose the AMC and A-AMC transmission modes by taking into account the Channel State Information (CSI) from the secondary transmitter to both the primary receiver and the secondary receiver. What’s more, for the cooperative communication design, we consider three different relay selection schemes: Partial Relay Selection, Opportunistic Relay Selection and Threshold Relay Selection. The Probability Density Functions (PDFs) of the Signal-to- Noise Ratio (SNR) in each hop for different selection schemes are provided, and then the exact closed-form expressions for the end-to-end packet loss rate in the secondary link considering the cooperation of the Decode-and-Forward (DF) relay for different relay selection schemes are derived.

With the emergence of the Internet-of-Things (IoT), communication networks have evolved toward autonomous networks of intelligent devices capable of communicating without direct human intervention. This is known as Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications. Cellular networks are considered one of the main technologies to support the deployment of M2M communications as they provide extended wireless connectivity and reliable communication links. However, the characteristics and Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements of M2M communications are distinct from those of conventional cellular communications, also known as Human-to-Human (H2H) communications, that cellular networks were originally designed for. Thus, enabling M2M communications poses many challenges in terms of interference, congestion, spectrum scarcity and energy efficiency. The primary focus is on the problem of resource allocation that has been the interest of extensive research effort due to the fact that both M2M and H2H communications coexist in the cellular network. This requires that radio resources be allocated such that the QoS requirements of both groups are satisfied. In this work, we propose three models to address this problem. In the first model, a two-phase resource allocation algorithm for H2H/M2M coexistence in cellular networks is proposed. The goal is to meet the QoS requirements of H2H traffic and delay-sensitive M2M traffic while ensuring fairness for the delay-tolerant M2M traffic. Simulation results are presented which show that the proposed algorithm is able to balance the demands of M2M and H2H traffic, meet their diverse QoS requirements, and ensure fairness for delay-tolerant M2M traffic. With the growing number of Machine-Type Communication Devices (MTCDs) the problem of spectrum scarcity arises. Hence, Cognitive Radio (CR) is the focus of the second model where clustered Cognitive M2M (CM2M) communications underlaying cellular networks is proposed. In this model, MTCDs are grouped in clusters based on their spatial location and communicate with the Base Station (BS) via Machine-Type Communication Gateways (MTCGs). An underlay CR scheme is implemented where the MTCDs within a cluster share the spectrum of the neighbouring Cellular User Equipment (CUE). A joint resource-power allocation problem is formulated to maximize the sum-rate of the CUE and clustered MTCDs while adhering to MTCD minimum data rate requirements, MTCD transmit power limits, and CUE interference constraints. Simulation results are presented which show that the proposed scheme significantly improves the sum-rate of the network compared to other schemes while satisfying the constraints. Due to the limited battery capacity of MTCDs and diverse QoS requirements of both MTCDs and CUE, Energy Efficiency (EE) is critical to prolonging network lifetime to ensure uninterrupted and reliable data transmission. The third model investigates the power allocation problem for energy-efficient CM2M communications underlaying cellular networks. Underlay CR is employed to manage the coexistence of MTCDs and CUE and exploit spatial spectrum opportunities. Two power allocation problems are proposed where the first targets MTCD power consumption minimization while the second considers MTCD EE maximization subject to MTCD transmit power constraints, MTCD minimum data rate requirements, and CUE interference limits. Simulation results are presented which indicate that the proposed algorithms provide MTCD power allocation with lower power consumption and higher EE than the (Equal Power Allocation) EPA scheme while satisfying the constraints. / Graduate

abstract: Modern Communication systems are progressively moving towards all-digital transmitters (ADTs) due to their high efficiency and potentially large frequency range. While significant work has been done on individual blocks within the ADT, there are few to no full systems designs at this point in time. The goal of this work is to provide a set of multiple novel block architectures which will allow for greater cohesion between the various ADT blocks. Furthermore, the design of these architectures are expected to focus on the practicalities of system design, such as regulatory compliance, which here to date has largely been neglected by the academic community. Amongst these techniques are a novel upconverted phase modulation, polyphase harmonic cancellation, and process voltage and temperature (PVT) invariant Delta Sigma phase interpolation. It will be shown in this work that the implementation of the aforementioned architectures allows ADTs to be designed with state of the art size, power, and accuracy levels, all while maintaining PVT insensitivity. Due to the significant performance enhancement over previously published works, this work presents the first feasible ADT architecture suitable for widespread commercial deployment. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2019

Radiofrequency spectrum is a finite resource that consists of the frequencies in the range 3 kHz to 300 GHz. It is used for wireless communication and supports several applications and services. Whether it is at the personal, community or society level, and whether it is for applications in consumer electronics, building management, smart utility networks, intelligent driving systems, the Internet of Things, industrial automation and so on, the demand for wireless communication is increasing continuously. Together with this increase in demand, there is an increase in the quality of service requirements in terms of throughput, and the reliability and availability of wireless services. Industrial wireless sensor networks, for example, operate in environments that are usually harsh and time varying. The frequency spectrum that is utilised by industrial wireless protocols such as WirelessHART and ISA 100.11a, is also used by many other wireless technologies, and with wireless applications growing rapidly, it is possible that multiple heterogeneous wireless systems will need to operate in overlapping spatiotemporal regions in the future. Increased radiofrequency interference affects connectivity and reduces communication link quality. This affects reliability and latency negatively, both of which are core quality service requirements. Getting multiple heterogeneous radio systems to co-exist harmoniously in shared spectrum is challenging. Traditionally, this has been achieved by granting network operators exclusive rights that allow them to access parts of the spectrum assigned to them and hence the problems of co-existence and limited spectrum could be ignored. Design time multi-access techniques have also been used. At present, however, it has become necessary to use spectrum more efficiently, to facilitate the further growth of wireless communication. This can be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, the policy that governs the regulation of radiofrequency spectrum must be updated to accommodate flexible, dynamic spectrum access. Secondly, new techniques for multiple-access and spectrum sharing should be devised. A revolutionary new communication paradigm is required, and one such paradigm has recently emerged in the form of Cognitive Radio technology. Traditional methods to sharing spectrum assume that radios in a wireless network work together in an unchanging environment. Cognitive radios, on the other hand, can sense, learn and adapt. In cognitive radio networks, the interactions between users are taken into account, in order for adjustments to be made to suit the prevailing radio environment. In this thesis, the problem of spectrum scarcity and coexistence is addressed using cognitive radio techniques, to ensure more efficient use of radio-frequency spectrum. An introduction to cognitive radio networks is given, covering cognitive radio fundamentals, spectrum sensing, dynamic spectrum management, game theoretic approaches to spectrum sharing and security in cognitive radio networks. A focus is placed on wireless industrial networks as a challenging test case for cognitive radio. A study on spectrum management policy is conducted, together with an investigation into the current state of radio-frequency spectrum utilisation, to uncover real and artificial cases of spectrum scarcity. A novel cognitive radio protocol is developed together with an open source test bed for it. Finally, a game theoretic dynamic spectrum access algorithm is developed that can provide scalable, fast convergence spectrum sharing in cognitive radio networks. This work is a humble contribution to the advancement of wireless communication. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Centre for Telecommunication Engineering for the Information Society / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

Cognitive radio networks (CRN) have been tipped as one of the most promising paradigms for next generation wireless communication, due primarily to its huge promise of mitigating the spectrum scarcity challenge. To help achieve this promise, CRN develop mechanisms that permit spectrum spaces to be allocated to, and used by more than one user, either simultaneously or opportunistically, under certain preconditions. However, because of various limitations associated with CRN, spectrum and other resources available for use in CRN are usually very scarce. Developing appropriate models that can efficiently utilise the scarce resources in a manner that is fair, among its numerous and diverse users, is required in order to achieve the utmost for CRN. 'Resource allocation (RA) in CRN' describes how such models can be developed and analysed. In developing appropriate RA models for CRN, factors that can limit the realisation of optimal solutions have to be identified and addressed; otherwise, the promised improvement in spectrum/resource utilisation would be seriously undermined. In this thesis, by a careful examination of relevant literature, the most critical limitations to RA optimisation in CRN are identified and studied, and appropriate solution models that address such limitations are investigated and proffered. One such problem, identified as a potential limitation to achieving optimality in its RA solutions, is the problem of heterogeneity in CRN. Although it is indeed the more realistic consideration, introducing heterogeneity into RA in CRN exacerbates the complex nature of RA problems. In the study, three broad classifications of heterogeneity, applicable to CRN, are identified; heterogeneous networks, channels and users. RA models that incorporate these heterogeneous considerations are then developed and analysed. By studying their structures, the complex RA problems are smartly reformulated as integer linear programming problems and solved using classical optimisation. This smart move makes it possible to achieve optimality in the RA solutions for heterogeneous CRN. Another serious limitation to achieving optimality in RA for CRN is the strictness in the level of permissible interference to the primary users (PUs) due to the activities of the secondary users (SUs). To mitigate this problem, the concept of cooperative diversity is investigated and employed. In the cooperative model, the SUs, by assisting each other in relaying their data, reduce their level of interference to PUs significantly, thus achieving greater results in the RA solutions. Furthermore, an iterative-based heuristic is developed that solves the RA optimisation problem timeously and efficiently, thereby minimising network complexity. Although results obtained from the heuristic are only suboptimal, the gains in terms of reduction in computations and time make the idea worthwhile, especially when considering large networks. The final problem identified and addressed is the limiting effect of long waiting time (delay) on the RA and overall productivity of CRN. To address this problem, queueing theory is investigated and employed. The queueing model developed and analysed helps to improve both the blocking probability as well as the system throughput, thus achieving significant improvement in the RA solutions for CRN. Since RA is an essential pivot on which the CRN's productivity revolves, this thesis, by providing viable solutions to the most debilitating problems in RA for CRN, stands out as an indispensable contribution to helping CRN realise its much-proclaimed promises. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

Generalized fading has been an imminent part and parcel of wireless communications. It not only characterizes the wireless channel appropriately but also allows its utilization for further performance analysis of various types of wireless communication systems. Under the umbrella of generalized fading channels, a unified performance analysis of a free-space optical (FSO) link over the Malaga (M) atmospheric turbulence channel that accounts for pointing errors and both types of detection techniques (i.e. indirect modulation/direct detection (IM/DD) as well as heterodyne detection) is presented. Specifically, unified exact closed-form expressions for the probability density function (PDF), the cumulative distribution function (CDF), the moment generating function (MGF), and the moments of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a single link FSO transmission system are presented, all in terms of the Meijer's G function except for the moments that is in terms of simple elementary functions. Then capitalizing on these unified results, unified exact closed-form expressions for various performance metrics of FSO link transmission systems are offered, such as, the outage probability (OP), the higher-order amount of fading (AF), the average error rate for binary and M-ary modulation schemes, and the ergodic capacity (except for IM/DD technique, where closed-form lower bound results are presented), all in terms of Meijer's G functions except for the higher-order AF that is in terms of simple elementary functions. Additionally, the asymptotic results are derived for all the expressions derived earlier in terms of the Meijer's G function in the high SNR regime in terms of simple elementary functions via an asymptotic expansion of the Meijer's G function. Furthermore, new asymptotic expressions for the ergodic capacity in the low as well as high SNR regimes are derived in terms of simple elementary functions via utilizing moments. All the presented results are verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulations. Besides addressing the pointing errors with zero boresight effects as has been addressed above, a unified capacity analysis of a FSO link that accounts for nonzero boresight pointing errors and both types of detection techniques (i.e. heterodyne detection as well as IM/DD) is also addressed. Specifically, an exact closed-form expression for the moments of the end-to-end SNR of a single link FSO transmission system is presented in terms of well-known elementary functions. Capitalizing on these new moments expressions, approximate and simple closed-form results for the ergodic capacity at high and low SNR regimes are derived for lognormal (LN), Rician-LN (RLN), and M atmospheric turbulences. All the presented results are verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulations. Based on the fact that FSO links are cost-effective, license-free, and can provide even higher bandwidths compared to the traditional radio-frequency (RF) links, the performance analysis of a dual-hop relay system composed of asymmetric RF and FSO links is presented. This is complemented by the performance analysis of a dual-branch transmission system composed of a direct RF link and a dual-hop relay composed of asymmetric RF and FSO links. The performance of the later scenario is evaluated under the assumption of the selection combining (SC) diversity and the maximal ratio combining (MRC) schemes. RF links are modeled by Rayleigh fading distribution whereas the FSO link is modeled by a unified GG fading distribution. More specifically, in this work, new exact closed-form expressions for the PDF, the CDF, the MGF, and the moments of the end-to-end SNR are derived. Capitalizing on these results, new exact closed-form expressions for the OP, the higher-order AF, the average error rate for binary and M-ary modulation schemes, and the ergodic capacity are offered. Cognitive radio networks (CRN) have also proved to improve the performance of wireless communication systems and hence based on this, the hybrid system analyzed above is extended with CRN technology wherein the outage and error performance analysis of a dual-hop transmission system composed of asymmetric RF channel cascaded with a FSO link is presented. For the RF link, an underlay cognitive network is considered where the secondary users share the spectrum with licensed primary users. Indoor femtocells act as a practical example for such networks. Specifically, it is assumed that the RF link applies power control to maintain the interference at the primary network below a predetermined threshold. While the RF channel is modeled by the Rayleigh fading distribution, the FSO link is modeled by a unified Gamma-Gamma turbulence distribution. The FSO link accounts for pointing errors and both types of detection techniques (i.e. heterodyne detection as well as IM/DD). With this model, a new exact closed-form expression is derived for the OP and the error rate of the end-to-end SNR of these systems in terms of the Meijer's G function and the Fox's H functions under amplify-and-forward relay schemes. All new analytical results are verified via computer-based Monte-Carlo simulations and are illustrated by some selected numerical results.

Wireless is everywhere. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, implantable medical devices, and many other wireless devices are massively taking part of our everyday activities. On average, an actively digital consumer has three devices. However, most of these wireless devices are small equipped with batteries that are often limited and need to be replaced or recharged. This fact limits the operating lifetime of wireless devices and presents a major challenge in wireless communication. To improve the perpetual energy operation of wireless communication systems, energy harvesting (EH) from the radio frequency (RF) signals is one promising solution to make the wireless communication systems self-sustaining. Since RF signals are known to transmit information, it is interesting to study when RF signals are simultaneously used to transmit information and scavenge energy, namely simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). In this thesis, we specifically aim to study the SWIPT in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay communication systems and in cognitive radio (CR) networks. First, we study the SWIPT in MIMO relay systems where the relay harvests the energy from the source and uses partially/fully the harvested energy to forward the signal to the destination. For both the amplify-and-forward (AF) and decode-and-forward (DF) relaying protocols, we consider the ideal scheme where both the energy and information transfer to the relay happen simultaneously, and the practical power splitting and time switching schemes. For each scheme, we aim to maximize the achievable end-to-end rate with a certain energy constraint at the relay. Furthermore, we consider the sum rate maximization problem for the multiuser MIMO DF relay broadcasting channels with multiple EH-enabled relays, and an enhanced low complex solution is proposed based on the block diagonalization method. Finally, we study the energy and data performance of the SWIPT in CR network where either the primary receiver (PR) or the secondary receiver (SR) is using the antenna switching (AS) technique. When the PR is an EH-enabled node, we illustrate the incentive of spectrum sharing in CR networks. When the SR is an EH-enabled node, we propose two thresholding-based selection schemes: the prioritizing data selection scheme and the prioritizing energy selection scheme.

The steady growth in demand for spectrum has increased research interest in dynamic spectrum access schemes. This thesis studies some challenges in dynamic spectrum access based on two strategies: open sharing and hierarchical access. (1) In the open sharing model, the channels are allocated based on an auction process, taking into account the propagation characteristics of the channels, termed as channel heterogeneity. Two distributed dynamic spectrum access schemes are evaluated, sequential and concurrent. We show that the concurrent accessmechanismperforms better in terms of channel utilization and energy consumption, especially in wireless cellular network with an energy constraint. (2) In the hierarchical model, we assess the opportunities for secondary access in the radar band at 5.6GHz. The primary user is a meteorological radar and WLANs are the secondary users. The secondary users implement an interference protection mechanism to protect the radar, such that the WLAN’s transmission is regulated by an interference threshold. We evaluate the aggregate interference caused to the radar from multiple WLANs transmitting. We derive a mathematicalmodel to approximate the probability distribution function of the aggregate interference at the primary user, considering two cases: when secondary users are homogeneously distributed, and when they are heterogeneously distributed. The heterogeneous distribution of secondary users is modeled using an annulus sector with a higher density, called a hot zone. Finally, we evaluate opportunities for secondary access when WLANs employ an interference protection mechanism that considers the radar’s antenna pattern, such that temporal opportunities for transmission exist. The analytical probability distribution function of the interference is verified showing a good agrement with a Monte Carlo simulation. We show that the aggregate interference is sensitive to the propagation environment, thus in the rural case interference is more severe when compared to the urban case. In the evaluation of the hot zonemodel, we observe that the heterogenous distribution of secondary users has impact on the aggregate interference if the hot zone is near to the radar. The mathematical framework presented in this thesis can easily be adapted to assess interference to other types of primary and secondary users. / QC 20110523

Efficient utilization of frequency bands has attracted more and more attention. Most of the licensed spectrum nowadays is under-utilized and some unlicensed services are allowed to use the available spectrum without causing harmful interference to the primary users. Therefore, unlicensed users should be able to detect spectrum holes reliably. Spectrum sensing and estimation is an important factor to achieve this. In this thesis, several spectrum sensing and estimation methods are compared based on receiver operating characteristics. Simulation results show that there is a trade-off among different methods.