On fair rate adaption in interference-limited systems

Abstract

A fair allocation of scarce resources is crucial in systems where multiple entities compete for the same goods. General interference-limited communication systems with rate adaption are investigated in this paper and the problem of fair resource allocation is addressed by two different approaches. First, a non game theoretic fairness approach is applied to the system model. Then bargaining theory is exploited to derive a game theoretic fairness concept. To compensate the information transmission necessary in the bargaining game, so-called incentive parameters are introduced. The solution of the thereby obtained local problem coincides with the Nash bargaining solution of the global problem if the incentive parameters are properly chosen. Numerical results show the advantage of the game theoretical modelling with respect to fairness and efficiency. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.