Relay node selection for cooperative wireless systems using the bidder's game

Abstract

In this paper, a new strategy for selecting the most suitable partner in a cooperative wireless communication system, using a type of game called the Bidding game is proposed. In this game, in which the conventional theories of economic auction are applied, the cooperative communication network is modeled as a single-node, multi-relay system in which the source node acts as the auctioneer while the relay nodes or partners act as the bidders in the game. The resource being auctioned here is power, and the relay which offers the highest bid in terms of price is selected and allocated power by the source node. Results show that like what happens in conventional bidding process, the higher the price a relay can pay, the higher the amount of power that the source node will be willing to sell, and by extension, the higher the utility of the source node. It is also seen in the results that the relay node closest to the destination node gives the highest utility to the source and thus the highest chance of being selected in the cooperative process; all with the intent of improving the transmit diversity of the network.