Ecology of Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

The success of cognitive radio networks lies on whether secondary users (SUs) follow the sharing rule that do not disturb the existing primary users (PUs). However, SUs may not behave in the desirable way as long as their own transmissions are successful. In this case, PUs may suffer heavy interference and system is deteriorated. Via evolutionary game modeling, this letter studies the dynamics of cognitive radio ad hoc networks against misbehaved SUs due to sensing errors or selfish nature. Our study suggests that cognitive radio network is fragile to the misbehaved SUs if incentives for the successful secondary transmissions are high. Consequently, all other SUs evolve to dishonest behaviors leading to network collapse.