Taxonomy of Cognitive Radio applications

Today there exists no single fully-inclusive classification system for the range of possible different use-cases and applications of Cognitive Radio (CR). This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a universal taxonomy of CR applications. Based on a thorough review of existing literature we offer a conceptual proposal of universal CR taxonomy made of two classification planes that use respectively the application utility and technological factors to describe the hierarchical branching. The two complementary schemes are suggested to accommodate all the many CR applications proposed today, and can be easily expanded in the future to incorporate any newly proposed applications. The paper concludes by outlining some tangible practical benefits of having a universal taxonomy classification, including unambiguous codification of all CR applications and facilitation of autonomous opportunistic CR link and network formation.