Comparison between access selection algorithms in multi-operator wireless networks

Abstract

International audienceIn fifth generation mobile network, Radio Access Network sharing is an attractive solution for operators to counter the traffic growth and build cost-effective networks in order to improve coverage and capacity at reasonable investments and operational costs. It consists of sharing radio access resources between two or more operators. In such multi-operator environment access selection decision is an important issue for the mobile user and his home operator which the user has contract with. In literature, the majority of access selection algorithms are based on game theory which is very complex for implementation and the decision is slower in comparison with Multiple Attributes Decision Making (MADM) methods. In this paper, we use Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) methods and Nearest Performance Handover (NPH) algorithm for the access selection in a multi-operator environment. These algorithms based on MADM were initially conceived for the selection decision in a single operator environment. In addition, we compare the performance of these algorithms with our previously proposed cost function for the access selection in a multi-operator sharing network. Performance analyses are made in terms of user blocking percentages and global achieved profit. Simulation results showed that our decision algorithm guarantee the lowest blocking probability for all operators, it prevents overloading operator's with high numbers of guest users which affect own clients acceptance. In addition, it improves global achieved profits for all cooperating operators. However, SAW methods showed better performance than NPH concerning users blocking percentages, but NPH guarantees higher profits than SAW methods for the operators with limited capacity

Resource Sharing in 5G Multi-Operator Wireless Network

“…The latter will determine the service cost, to be paid by the home operator of the transferred user. In previous works [7], [8], [9], we proposed an algorithm for the access selection decision, and we showed its efficiency compared to other selection algorithms using MADM (Multiple Attribute Decision Making) methods. The previous study was made in a sharing system without making any resource reservation and results showed that, with an open access mode, the operator having the highest capacity was penalized by serving a high number of guest users.…”

“…3) MCWC (Min Cost When Cooperating): all operators set identical equal to the lowest price in the system, such that = min ( ) = 1, 2and 3. Further, in order to transfer the user to the suitable operator, we adopt our Nearest Performance and Best Profit Access Selection algorithm NP-BPA [9], that ensures the mobile user and its home operator satisfaction at the same time. It uses a cost function that combines the offered QoS from the radio access networks and the requirements of the mobile user's application, added to the resulting profit from the user transfer.…”

Radio Access Network Sharing in 5G: Strategies and Benefits

“…Simulation results showed the efficiency of our decision algorithm in a three operators sharing network. Moreover, the comparison of NP-BPA algorithm with SAW and NPH was made in [13], simulation results showed that our decision algorithm guarantees the lowest blocking probability for all operators, it prevents overloading operator's with high numbers of guest users which affect own clients acceptance. In addition, it improves global achieved profits for all cooperating operators.…”

“…The ideal solution score is the user's SAW score considering the QoS parameters required by the user's application. In order to adapt the NPH approach to our model, we proposed in [13] to add the user budget p to its score, and the service price to the score to each service operator. Hence, the score of the user, Su, is computed as follows:…”

“…We consider the strategies that a service operator may adopt in a sharing system, in order to optimize the cooperation benefits in terms of client acceptance and profits. For the access selection decision, we introduce the S-AS (Strategic Access Selection) algorithm based on our cost function NP-BPA previously proposed and analyzed in [12], [15], [13]. It ensures the mobile user and its home operator satisfaction by combining the requirements of the mobile user's application, the offered QoS from the radio access networks and the resulting profit from the user transfer.…”