Abstract
Summary A cognitive radio network (CRN) can address spectrum scarcity issues to achieve higher levels of spectral efficiency. Fifth‐generation (5G) technologies are advanced telecommunication technologies that are built into CRNs. Network performance is enhanced when using a massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system that tolerates a large number of users based on the use of multiple antennas. Several previous research works have been conducted on 5G CRNs, although these works have failed to mitigate interference and the peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). In this paper, a 5G CRN with massive MIMO that ensures secure data transmission is developed. Security is ensured via the standardized key–based secrecy method supported by a certificate authority. A CRN fusion centre (FC) plays a vital role in decision making. Fusion centre rotation is applied to mitigate interference. Massive MIMO‐OFDM effective signalling is used to address PAPR problems. The proposed CRN is experimentally modelled using network simulator 3, and its performance is evaluated. Our simulation results reveal improvements in channel capacity, a reduction in the PAPR and bit error rates, and improvements in spectral efficiency.