Optimal Bandwidth Allocation with Dynamic Service Selection in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

Bandwidth allocation for different service classes in heterogeneous wireless networks is an important issue for service provider in terms of balancing service quality and profit. It is especially challenging when considering the dynamic competition both among service providers and among users. To address this problem, a two-level game framework is developed in this paper. The underlying dynamic service selection is modeled as an evolutionary game based on replicator dynamics. An upper bandwidth allocation differential game is formulated to model the competition among different service providers. The service selection distribution of the underlying evolutionary game describes the state of the upper differential game. An open-loop Nash equilibrium is considered to be the solution of this linear state differential game. The proposed framework can be implemented with minimum communication cost since no information broadcasting is required. Also, we observe that the selfish behavior of service providers can also maximize the social welfare.