Evolution of spatial and multicarrier scheduling: Towards multi-cell scenario

Abstract

OFDMA systems are considered as the promising multiple access scheme of next generation multi-cellular wireless systems. In order to ensure the optimum usage of radio resources, OFDMA radio resource management algorithms have to maximize the allocated power and rate of the different subchannels to the users taking also into account the generated co-channel interference between neighboring cells, which affects the received Quality of Service. This paper discusses various schemes for power distribution schemes in multiple co-channel cells. These schemes include centralized and distributed solutions, which may involve various degrees of complexity and related overhead and may employ procedures such as linear programming. Finally, the paper introduces a new solution that uses a network flow model to solve the maximization of the multi-cell system sum rate. The application of spatial beamforming at each cell is suggested in order to better cope with interference. © 2010 Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.