Patent ID: 8140017

Claim:
A method, with a cognitive radio wireless device, for dynamically managing signal detection in a cognitive radio system, the method comprising: performing spectrum sensing for a first sensing frame on at least one communication channel; receiving, in response to performing spectrum sensing, at least one observed signal on the at least one communication channel; and performing a detection decision to determine if the observed signal is one of noise and an active signal associated with an active user, wherein performing the detection decision comprises: determining an energy estimation ε associated with the at least one observed signal; comparing the energy estimation ε with a current detection threshold, wherein the current detection threshold is one of an arbitrarily defined threshold and a detection threshold based on a previous detection decision for a sensing frame immediately prior to the first sensing frame; setting, in response to the energy estimation being above the current detection threshold, a first new detection threshold equal to the current detection threshold; and setting, in response to the energy estimation ε being below the current detection threshold, a second new detection threshold as a function of the current detection threshold and the energy estimation ε; wherein one of the first and second new detection threshold is used for at least one subsequent detection decision for at least a second sensing frame.