Cognitive Radio Networks Application in the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Africa Development

Africa is a rising continent with very high potential and capacity for technological and industrial growth. Broadband communications will play a significant role in the realisation of Africa’s potential. The fourth industrial revolution (4IR), also referred to as Industry 4.0, is rapidly changing the industrial and manufacturing space in Africa through the use of automation and modern technology. A number of emerging communication technologies are working together to help drive the realisation of 4IR. One relevant technology that is very critical to the realisation of 4IR is cognitive radio networks (CRN). The CRN can mitigate the effect of spectrum scarcity and underutilisation by enabling multiple networks to co-use (either simultaneously or opportunistically) a spectrum space, as long as the predefined network conditions are not violated. This paper studies the critical aspects of CRN and their application towards the realisation of 4IR in Africa and beyond.