Self-Organizing Strategy Design for Heterogeneous Coexistence in the Sub-6 GHz

Abstract

Due to the worldwide ongoing pressure to massively exploit the Sub-6 GHz spectrum for the deployment of independently-operated and heterogeneous networks, innovative solutions for network coexistence are deeply required. Hence, in this paper, we design a self-organizing strategy with the aim of minimizing the coexistence interference among heterogeneous networks sharing the Sub-6 GHz spectrum. The design is performed under the constraints of promoting selfless network utilization and avoiding any direct communication among the heterogeneous networks. For this, we develop an analytical framework, grounded on the nest-site selection behavior observed in honeybee swarms, to model the coexistence problem among multiple heterogeneous networks. Specifically, first, different heterogeneous networks are mapped into different populations and the allocation of a Sub-6 GHz band to a network is mapped into the population commitment. Then, the evolution of the commitment process is described through a multi-dimensional differential system. We analytically study the stability of such a system at the equilibrium, and we derive the conditions that assure the optimal allocation of the available Sub-6 GHz bands among the different heterogeneous networks. Finally, the proposed strategy is validated through an extensive performance evaluation.