Packet scheduling and resource allocation for downlink multicarrier systems with quality-of-service constraints

We consider the scheduling and resource allocation problem in the downlink of multicarrier systems where data is processed and transmitted in unit of packets. This involves the allocation of transmit power as well as time and frequency slots to packets generated by different service flows, which consequently have various lengths and allows for various latency time in delivery. An optimization to maximize system throughput under frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and available resources restrictions is formulated, and an interactive scheduling and resource allocation approach is proposed to solve this combinatorial-natured problem. The paper especially focuses on the design of packet scheduling algorithms and introduces the concept of virtual packet size and anxious scheduler, which allows for simple implementation and high flexibility. Simulation results show the efficient collaboration of the proposed scheduling algorithm with the resource allocation scheme, and the effectiveness of the system as a whole which favorably exhibits low complexity.