Learning-Theoretic Multi-Channel Spectrum Sensing and Access in Full-Duplex Cognitive Radio Networks with Unknown Primary User Activities

The majority of the opportunistic spectrum access schemes in cognitive radio networks (CRNs) rely on the Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) model due to the half-duplex nature of conventional wireless radios. In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal opportunistic multi-channel spectrum sensing and access using full-duplex (FD) radios in the presence of uncertain primary user (PU) activity statistics. A joint learning and spectrum access scheme is proposed. To optimize its throughput, the SU sensing period has to be carefully tuned. However, in absence of exact knowledge of the PU activity statistics, the PU's performance may be adversely affected. To address this problem, we formulate a robust optimization problem. Our analysis shows that under some non-restrictive simplifying assumptions, the robust optimization problem is convex. We analyze the impact of the sensing period on the PU collision probability and the SU throughput, and find the optimal sensing period via convex optimization. We show that sublinear regrets can be attained by the proposed estimation and robust optimization strategy. Simulation studies also demonstrate that the resulting robust solution provides a good trade-off between optimizing the SU's throughput and protecting the PU.