A utility-based resource and network assignment framework for heterogeneous mobile networks

Network utility theory has been extensively employed for resource management purposes. However, traditional utility functions cannot support attributes that affect the resource allocation, such as mobility or more advanced traffic models. Especially in the context of a heterogeneous wireless network, transient parameters can have varying effects on each access network type. This work proposes a new utility function that can support multiple design requirements for mobile networks including advanced traffic models, user classes, handover and session priorities. We integrate the new utility function with the Super Base Station framework and devise a novel trigger-based network and resource assignment framework that efficiently copes with the complexity of a heterogeneous wireless network. Our simulation results show that the proposed sub-optimal trigger-based framework performs equally well as the complex optimal scheme.