Utility-based bandwidth allocation algorithm for heterogeneous wireless network

Abstract

Next generation wireless network (NGWN) is expected to provide high-bandwidth connectivity with guaranteed quality-of-service to mobile users in a seamless manner. In NGWN, mobile users are capable of connecting to the core network through various heterogeneous wireless access networks, such as cellular network, wireless metropolitan area network, wireless local area network, and ad hoc network etc. In this paper, the problem of joint bandwidth allocation for heterogeneous integrated networks is formulated based on utility function theory and bankruptcy game. The proposed bandwidth allocation scheme comprises of two successive stages, i.e., service bandwidth allocation and user bandwidth allocation. At service bandwidth allocation stage, the optimal amount of bandwidth for different types of services in each network is allocated based on the criterion of joint utility maximization, then, at user bandwidth allocation stage, the service bandwidth in each network is optimally allocated among users in the network according to bankruptcy game theory. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.