A General Framework for Distributed Coordination of Parameters in Communication Networks

A frequently encountered problem in a cellular network is the selection for each cell in the network a set of parameter values that is uniquely distinguishable from or compatible with those selected by its neighboring cells. Examples include reuse frequency, reference signal offset, beamforming weights and transmit power, just to name a few. It may also be advantageous for the parameter selection to be carried out in a distributed manner so that no centralized controller is required. In this paper, we study a general framework for coordinating parameters in a distributed manner with the goal of applying such a framework to solving most of the above-mentioned problems that have well-defined cost functions. The main components of the framework are the exchange of the impact functions among neighboring nodes and the parameter update based on the weighted sum of these impact functions. The impact function is essentially an indication to the recipient of the information the impact of the recipient's parameter setting on the cost function of the node that transmits the information. Simulations using frequency reuse planning as an example show good convergence behavior and performance comparing with ideal assignment.