Cross layer optimization of downlink power allocation in multi-user wireless communication systems

Abstract

In multi-user wireless communication systems, dynamic power allocation is an important means to deal with the time-varying nature of the physical and network layers. However, the current layer optimization approach to power allocation cannot achieve the global optimum of the overall system performance. To solve this problem, a cross-layer optimization framework is presented for downlink power allocation, which takes both the channel and buffer states into account. A cross-layer optimization problem is formulated to optimize the total throughput with queue length and power constraints. An analytical solution and a low complexity dynamic programming algorithm, which are referred as water-filling in cellar (WFIC) policy, are presented to optimize the downlink power allocation. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the potential of the proposed method.