An Efficient Access Point Assignment for Optical-Radio Networks by Multi-Attribute Decision-Making

In the rapidly evolving domain of optical wireless communication and radio frequency heterogeneous network (OWC/RF HetNet), the access point (AP) assignment is an important and multi-attribute problem. The challenges of this problem arise from the distinct characteristics of OWC and RF networks, combined with the difference between uplink and downlinks to and from optical and RF APs. Traditional AP assignment methods, with their limited focus on a few attributes, often overlook a wider array of essential factors. Addressing this, we introduce a Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) algorithm as a multi-attribute approach to concurrently consider different attributes for AP assignment. In particular, this study evaluates attributes such as achievable data rates, node-APs distances, and cost-effectiveness for the AP assignment in the OWC/RF HetNet. Simulation results show that the proposed approach can provide a trade-off among various attributes like data rate, coverage range, and costs. Furthermore, this study paves the way by providing a robust dataset, primed for machine learning approaches in subsequent AP assignments for OWC/RF HetNet.