Evolution of spatial and multicarrier scheduling: towards multi-cell scenario

Abstract

OFDMA systems are considered as the promising multiple access scheme of next generation multi-cellular wireless systems. In order to ensure the optimum usage of radio resources, OFDMA radio resource management algorithms have to maximize the allocated power and rate of the di erent subchannels to the users taking also into account the gen- erated co-channel interference between neighboring cells, which a ects the received Quality of Service. This paper discusses various schemes for power distribution schemes in multiple co-channel cells. These schemes include centralized and distributed solutions, which may involve various degrees of complexity and related overhead and may employ procedures such as linear programming. Finally, the paper introduces a new solu- tion that uses a network ow model to solve the maximization of the multi-cell system sum rate. The application of spatial beamforming at each cell is suggested in order to better cope with interference.