Decentralized Fair Scheduling in Two-Hop Relay-Assisted Cognitive OFDMA Systems

In this paper, we consider a two-hop relay-assisted cognitive downlink OFDMA system (named as secondary system) dynamically accessing a spectrum licensed to a primary network, thereby improving the efficiency of spectrum usage. A cluster-based relay-assisted architecture is proposed for the secondary system, where relay stations are employed for minimizing the interference to the users in the primary network and achieving fairness for cell-edge users. Based on this architecture, an asymptotically optimal solution is derived for jointly controlling data rates, transmission power, and subchannel allocation to optimize the average weighted sum goodput where the proportional fair scheduling (PFS) is included as a special case. This solution supports decentralized implementation, requires small communication overhead, and is robust against imperfect channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) and sensing measurement. The proposed solution achieves significant throughput gains and better user-fairness compared with the existing designs. Finally, we derived a simple and asymptotically optimal scheduling solution as well as the associated closed-form performance under the proportional fair scheduling for a large number of users. The system throughput is shown to be $\mathcal{O}\left(N(1-q_p)(1-q_p^N)\ln\ln K_c\right)$, where $K_c$ is the number of users in one cluster, $N$ is the number of subchannels and $q_p$ is the active probability of primary users.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figures, IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN SIGNAL PROCESSIN

Multicast Scheduling and Resource Allocation Algorithms for OFDMA-Based Systems: A Survey

Multicasting is emerging as an enabling technology for multimedia transmissions over wireless networks to support several groups of users with flexible quality of service (QoS)requirements. Although multicast has huge potential to push the limits of next generation communication systems; it is however one of the most challenging issues currently being addressed. In this survey, we explain multicast group formation and various forms of group rate determination approaches. We also provide a systematic review of recent channel-aware multicast scheduling and resource allocation (MSRA) techniques proposed for downlink multicast services in OFDMA based systems. We study these enabling algorithms, evaluate their core characteristics, limitations and classify them using multidimensional matrix. We cohesively review the algorithms in terms of their throughput maximization, fairness considerations, performance complexities, multi-antenna support, optimality and simplifying assumptions. We discuss existing standards employing multicasting and further highlight some potential research opportunities in multicast systems

Adaptive frame structure and OFDMA resource allocation in mobile multi-hop relay networks

The objective of this thesis research is to optimize network throughput and fairness, and enhance bandwidth utilization in wireless mobile multi-hop relay (MMR) networks. To enhance bandwidth utilization, we propose an adaptive OFDMA frame structure which is used by the base station and the non-transparent relay stations. To optimize throughput and fairness, we develop an adaptive OFDMA allocation algorithm by using the proposed adaptive OFDMA frame. The effectiveness of the proposed schemes has been verified by numeric simulations. Providing ubiquitous coverage with wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) can be costly, especially in sparsely populated areas. In this scenario, cheaper relay stations (RSs) can be used to provide coverage instead of expensive base stations (BSs). The RS extends the coverage area of traditional BSs. This sort of network is known as a wireless MMR network. This thesis focuses on MMR networks that use orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and time division duplex (TDD) as a multiple access scheme and a duplex communication technique (e.g., WiMAX). The use of OFDMA resources (e.g., OFDMA symbols and subcarriers) and how they are shared in current schemes can reduce system capacity and network throughput in certain scenarios. To increase the capacity of the MMR network, we propose a new protocol that uses an adaptive OFDMA frame structure for BSs and RSs. We also propose adaptive OFDMA resource allocation for subscriber stations (SSs) within a BS or RS. We derive the maximum OFDMA resources that RSs can be assigned and synchronize access zones and relay zones between a superior station and its subordinate RSs. This is bounded by three properties defined in this thesis: a data relay property, a maximum balance property, and a relay zone limitation property. Finally, we propose max-min and proportional fairness schemes that use the proposed adaptive frame structure. The proposed scheme is the first approach that incorporates the adaptive technique for wireless MMR networks. We evaluate our scheme using simulations and numerical analysis. Results show that our technique improves resource allocation in wireless MMR networks. Further, in asymmetric distributions of SSs between access zones and relay zones, the proposed OFDMA allocation scheme performs two times better than the non-adaptive allocation scheme in terms of average max-min fairness and 70% better in terms of average throughput.Ph.D.Committee Chair: Dr. John A. Copeland; Committee Member: Dr. George F. Riley; Committee Member: Dr. Henry L. Owen; Committee Member: Dr. Mary Ann Ingram; Committee Member: Dr. Patrick Trayno

A survey of self organisation in future cellular networks

This article surveys the literature over the period of the last decade on the emerging field of self organisation as applied to wireless cellular communication networks. Self organisation has been extensively studied and applied in adhoc networks, wireless sensor networks and autonomic computer networks; however in the context of wireless cellular networks, this is the first attempt to put in perspective the various efforts in form of a tutorial/survey. We provide a comprehensive survey of the existing literature, projects and standards in self organising cellular networks. Additionally, we also aim to present a clear understanding of this active research area, identifying a clear taxonomy and guidelines for design of self organising mechanisms. We compare strength and weakness of existing solutions and highlight the key research areas for further development. This paper serves as a guide and a starting point for anyone willing to delve into research on self organisation in wireless cellular communication networks