Energy-Aware User Association for NOMA-Based Mobile Edge Computing Using Matching-Coalition Game

Mobile edge computing (MEC) is regarded as a key technology to reduce the network pressure from the computing-intensive and latency-sensitive applications in future wireless networks. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) can achieve high spectral efficiency by allowing multiple users to reuse the same resources. In this paper, we consider a novel NOMA-based MEC network to improve the energy efficiency during task offloading process. With multiple access points (APs) being deployed, we formulate a joint optimization problem which involves user association, computing resource allocation, and transmit power control, with the objective of minimizing the total energy consumption of all users in such a network. Specifically, the problem can be modeled as a many-to-one matching game with externality due to the co-channel interference and resource competition among users. We then propose a matching-coalition approach coupled with computing resource allocation and power control to find the optimal solution, and also provide the analyses on related properties including stability, convergence, and complexity. Simulation results show that the proposed approach can efficiently reduce the total energy consumption in comparison to other simplified approaches.