Power-optimised multi-radio network under varying throughput constraints for rural broadband access

The use of complementary radio access technologies within a network allows the advantages of each technology to be combined to overcome individual limitations. In this paper we show how 5 GHz and “TV White Space” overlay networks can be combined to provide fixed wireless access coverage within a rural environment. By creating a model of the whole network we derive the optimum assignment of stations between the two overlay networks to maximise the capacity of individual stations given a desired individual station data rate. Through simulation we show how the power consumption of a base station can be minimised by dynamically adjusting station assignments based on network data rate requirements changing over the course of a day.