Due to the fact that the conventional spectrum sensing algorithm is susceptible to noise, an adaptive double-threshold energy detection algorithm for a cognitive radio is proposed. Based on double-threshold energy detection, the algorithm can adaptively switch between one-round sensing and two-round sensing by comparing the observations with the pre-fixed thresholds. Mathematical expressions for the probability of detection, the probability of false alarm, and the sensing time are derived. The relationships including signal to noise ratio （SNR） vs. the probability of detection and SNR vs. the sensing time are plotted using Monte Carlo simulation and the algorithm is verified in a real cognitive system based on GNU Radio and universal software radio peripheral （USRP）. Simulation and experimental results show that, compared with the existing spectrum sensing method, the proposed algorithm can achieve a higher probability of detection within a reasonable sensing time.
