Evaluation of Telecommunication Systems with Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis: A Game Theoretic Approach

Abstract

In this contribution, we present a method based on multiple criteria decision analysis for evaluating the formation of a new integrated telecommunications system. Our method is a game theoretic approach based on fuzzy multiattribute utility analysis. Game theory, which has been developed for multiple agents decision making, is used to evaluate the efficiency of forming an integrated information network. First, the construction of alternative integrated systems for existing individual communication networks is evaluated from the point of view of utility exchanges, and here fuzzy multiattribute utility analysis is applied. For considering a diversity in the evaluation due to multiperson decision making, a fuzzy preference relation is introduced into the process in order to assess the multiattribute utility function (MUF). This device is used for numerically assessing agreement levels in constructing MUFs. The fuzzy MUF (FMUF) is assessed for each service of the telecommunications systems. Second, the characteristic function of an n-person cooperative game is assessed in terms of an incremental value of FMUF. The payoff value based on the incremental value of FMUF is calculated for each service treated as a player who will participate in an integrated network to be regarded as a coalition. Alternative concepts of the nucleolus are used as the solution concepts of a game. Third, we will provide a device to measure these alternative solutions in comparable terms.