Resource allocation based on differentiated user services for indoor hybrid multi-color VLC/WiFi networks

Abstract

Multi-color visible light communication (VLC) and wireless fidelity (WiFi) networks provide a promising solution for the indoor wireless communication, while the hybrid networks face the challenge of imbalanced access point (AP) load and resource allocation. A resource allocation method based on user service differentiation (RAMUSD) is proposed for multi-color VLC/WiFi hybrid networks. In our design, the user’s premium level is defined according to the user’s channel conditions and requested data rate. The heterogeneous network selects the service AP for the users according to its premium level, user with high premium level is served by one of VLC access points (APs), while user with low premium level is served by WiFi AP. Then, the average satisfaction is used as the load index to adjust the number of users served by the WiFi AP or the VLC AP to achieve load balance among APs. Furthermore, the RAMUSD uses the potential game theory to optimize user’s migration and resource allocation among APs for improving the load balancing index. In the potential game, user can improve its return value by changing access AP. So, it makes user who pursue more resources give up the congested APs. Simulation results show that the proposed RAMUSD can achieve better system throughput and user satisfaction than an enhanced proportional fairness algorithm based on evolutionary game theory (EPF-EGT).