Abstract
Cognitive Radio Networks are a promising technology likely to be deployed in the very near future as a viable solution to the spectrum shortage problems faced by traditional wireless systems. Technological breakthroughs in the field of Software Defined Radios enabled the development of flexible cognitive radio transceivers capable users. While these primary users are allowed to access their licensed spectrum resources anytime and anywhere, within the contractual limits imposed by spectrum management authorities, cognitive radios have to scan and identify any unused spectrum in the licensed bands. Most importantly, in order not to interfere with primary users, they have to rapidly vacate of dynamically changing their transmission parameters in order to efficiently exploit the available wireless resources. This increased capability of cognitive radios to self adapt based on interactions with the surrounding environment makes them the perfect candidates for opportunistic spectrum access i