Architectures and Information Signaling Techniques for Cognitive Networks

The introduction of self-awareness, self-management, and self-healing into networks leads to a novel paradigm known as cognitive networking. This chapter overviews recent developments of this concept, discussing possible cognitive node structure and candidate cognitive network architecture. It explains the functionality of cognitive algorithms and discusses opportunities for potential optimization. Furthermore, the concept of cognitive information services is introduced. Information signaling techniques are then classified, reviewed in details, and compared among them. Finally, the performance of cognitive communication protocols is presented for a choice of examples.