Joint optimization for integrated wireless and wireline networks

In this paper, we study a cross-layer optimization problem for a network that consists of one wireline core network and multiple wireless access networks. We consider four layers among five layers in the network layering architecture: application characteristics through the utility function and quality of service requirements in the application layer; end-to-end flow control in the transport layer; opportunistic scheduling in the data link layer; adaptive modulation and coding in the physical layer. We formulate a stochastic optimization problem considering above four layers and both wireline and wireless parts of the network jointly that results in a utility-based joint end-to-end flow control and opportunistic scheduling problem for the integrated wireless and wireline network. We solve the problem by using a dual approach and a stochastic sub-gradient algorithm. The developed algorithm can be implemented in a distributed way: vertically among four layers and horizontally among all entities in the network, clearly showing what should be done in each layer and each entity and what parameters should be exchanged between layers vertically and between network entities horizontally.