Improvement of cell edge user admission using a user centric approach

Abstract

The increase in the number of linked technological devices, coupled with devices with new multimedia based services has resulted in the growing demand for high data rate communication and a spectrum crisis. Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising candidate for better utilisation of spectrum and to address the high data demands in current and future communication systems. This work addresses the utilization of NOMA under power minimization and user admission strategies. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem which is solved through a novel auction based approach for power allocation at the base station. The main problem under investigation is an under researched case wherein the system is modelled as a auction mechanism that allows for multiple auctioneers, multiple bidders, and multiple items. The solution is user-centric which accommodates heterogeneity in the wireless network in terms of the network topology, participants, items or services being offered. The results demonstrate that at a particular channel the proposed user centric solution outperforms the existing algorithm in terms of average admitted users and average generated revenue. It is observed that in general there is either more user admission or a different user admission set. The NOMA based solution improves cell edge user admission with reduced average transmitted power. Ultimately, the revenue of the service provider is equally improved. How ever there are limitations due to the presence of errors in the auction link, lack of incentive for users performing SIC and the NOMA scheme compromising physical layer security,and often, over satisfying user’s target rate.