Utility-Based Multi-Service Bandwidth Allocation in the 4G Heterogeneous Wireless Access Networks

Due to the heterogeneity of radio access technology and service in the 4G heterogeneous wireless access networks, it has been a great challenge on radio resource management. This paper considers a bandwidth allocation approach for multiple services in fourth generation (4G) heterogeneous wireless access networks where a mobile with multi-homing capability will be able to simultaneously connect to several wireless interfaces. In this scheme, a utility function is introduced to estimate the effect of network performance when the network provide bandwidth to a new arrival connection and the bandwidth offered by different wireless access networks is normalized by using their corresponding capacities. And then, based on the concept of network utility, a bandwidth allocation algorithm is proposed to allocate bandwidth to both CBR and VBR connections depending on utility fairness for same type of service not only within a wireless access network but also among different wireless access networks. Simulation results show that our bandwidth allocation algorithm is effective in allocating bandwidth for both CBR and VBR services while keeping connection blocking probability substantially low.