Platforms and testbeds for experimental evaluation of cognitive ad hoc networks

This article reviews, discusses, and classifies the existing experimental platforms and testbeds for experimental evaluation of CR ad hoc networks. The article first describes the internal organization of typical existing software defined radio platforms. Then the existing software frameworks are discussed and classified. Consequently, the challenges involved in integration of these platforms to form multihop networks are discussed, and the major efforts for large-scale testbed implementations described. Finally, limitations of existing platforms and future research challenges toward the design of accurate open testbeds that will enable sound experimental evaluation of CR networks are discussed.