Virtualization of 5G Cellular Networks: A Combinatorial Double Auction Approach

Wireless virtualization which enables resource sharing among different mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) has become an important enabling technique in 5G cellular networks for increasing resource utilization and lowering the cost per bit. A main challenge for virtualization is efficient resource allocation while keeping isolation among different parties. In this paper, we consider a multi-dimensional resource market among multiple MVNOs and users. A combinatorial double auction (CDA) model is proposed, based on which a truthful and efficient resource allocation framework is provided. Specifically, for maximizing the social welfare, a winner determination problem (WDP) is formulated considering different QoS requirements of users, and a computationally tractable algorithm is proposed to solve the WDP. Also, a pricing scheme is designed such that several desirable properties (e.g., incentive compatibility, individual rationality, and budget balance) can be achieved in the proposed CDA framework. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.