A cross layer framework of Radio Resource Allocation for QoS provisioning in multi-channel fading wireless networks

In this paper, we present an analytical framework for the performance evaluation of Radio Resource Allocation (RRA) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) networks. We focus on Quality of Service (QoS) guaranteed traffic whose capacity, in terms of the number of active user connections, depends on the users’ QoS requirements and channel conditions, and the RRA algorithm. The required QoS is guaranteed by restricting the number of admitted calls, which in turn requires an accurate estimate of the QoS metrics and capacity supported by the RRA when a new call arrives. These estimates for OFDMA networks are variable and usually obtained through time-consuming offline computer simulations. Mathematical frameworks on the other hand yield timely and accurate results. However, earlier known works on analytical modelling of RRA either consider a single channel with random traffic arrivals or multiple channels with full buffer data traffic. In contrast, we develop a queueing theoretic framework considering randomly arriving QoS-guaranteed traffic in a variable-rate multi-channel multi-class OFDMA network. The framework can be used online leading to better dynamic Call Admission Control. We characterize the RRA algorithm using a scheduler control parameter which can regulate the call blocking probability while providing predefined QoS constraints. We model the RRA as a variable service rate, multi-server, multi-class, finite buffer queueing system and verify the derived QoS metrics using extensive Monte-Carlo discrete event simulations.