A Game Theoretic Framework for Distributed Self-Coexistence Among IEEE 802.22 Networks
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A game theoretic framework for distributed self-coexistence among IEEE 802.22 networks S. Sengupta and R. Chandramouli S. Brahma and M. Chatterjee Electrical and Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Stevens Institute of Technology University of Central Florida Hoboken, NJ 07030 Orlando, FL 32816 Email: fShamik.Sengupta, [email protected] Email: fsbrahma,[email protected] Abstract—The cognitive radio based IEEE 802.22 wireless coexistence issues are only considered after the specification regional area network (WRAN) is designed to operate in the essentially is finalized, it is required for IEEE 802.22 to take under–utilized TV bands by detecting and avoiding primary TV the proactive approach and mandate to include self-coexistence transmission bands in a timely manner. Such networks, deployed by competing wireless service providers, would have to self- protocols and algorithms for enhanced MAC as revision of the coexist by accessing different parts of the available spectrum initial standard conception and definition [8]. in a distributed manner. Obviously, the goal of every network is In this paper, we focus on the self–coexistence of IEEE to acquire a clear spectrum chunk free of interference from other 802.22 networks from a game theoretic perspective. We use the IEEE 802.22 networks so as to satisfy the QoS of the services tools from minority game theory [5] and model the competitive delivered to the end–users. In this paper, we study the distributed WRAN self–coexistence problem from a minority game theoretic environment as a distributed Modified Minority Game (MMG). perspective. We model the spectrum band switching game where We consider the system of multiple overlapping IEEE 802.22 the networks try to minimize their cost in finding a clear band. networks operated by multiple wireless service providers that We propose a mixed strategy that the competing networks must compete for the resources and try to seek a spectrum band void adhere to in order to achieve the Nash equilibrium. Simulation of interference from other coexisting IEEE 802.22 networks. experiments have also been conducted and results corroborate with the theoretical analysis. If interfered by other IEEE 802.22 networks at any stage of the game, the networks face a binary choice of whether to I. INTRODUCTION stick to the band (assuming the interferers might move away) IEEE 802.22 based on cognitive radios (CRs) is a wireless or move to another band itself. As networks do not have regional area networks (WRAN) standard that can operate information about which bands other IEEE 802.22 networks in the sub–900 MHz licensed bands on an non-interfering will choose, the game is played under incomplete information. basis [1], [2]. Cognitive radio is the key enabling technol- So, the questions that need to be answered are: how can each ogy in this standard that can periodically perform spectrum network decide to co-operate or not co-operate in this minority sensing and can operate at any unused frequency in the game? Is there an equilibrium solution to this problem? How licensed bands [9]. The most important regulatory aspect is will the solution change if some common information is that cognitive radios must not interfere with the operation in available to all the networks? With the help of proposed licensed bands and must identify and avoid such bands in MMG model, we intend to help all the networks make better timely manner [3], [4]. If any of the spectrum bands used decisions even without direct knowledge of other networks’ by WRAN is accessed by the licensed incumbents, the IEEE strategies. There are several advantages for taking the MMG 802.22 devices (e.g., base stations (BS) and consumer premise approach. First, the MMG model works in a distributed equipments (CPE)) are required to vacate the channels within manner where a central authority or a centralized allocating the channel move time and switch to some other channel [6]. mechanism is not needed thus making the system scalable. One of the major challenges in the newly proposed IEEE Second, direct communications or negotiation messages are 802.22 standard is ensuring quality of service (QoS) among not needed among the networks thus reducing overhead in IEEE 802.22 networks themselves, i.e., in other words, main- communication. Third, being rational entities in the game, taining self–coexistence. Though most of the work on IEEE IEEE 802.22 networks individually try to maximize their own 802.22 has been on the enhancement of reliable spectrum payoffs or minimize the cost of channel switching subject sensing, there is hardly any investigation on issues related to to constraints on resource usage. We investigate both pure self–coexistence. In areas with significant high primary incum- and mixed strategy mechanisms from networks’ perspectives. bents (licensed services), open channels will be a commodity The important investigation in such a game is the existence of demand. Therefore, dynamic channel access among IEEE of any equilibrium point– with a set of strategies played by 802.22 networks will be of utmost importance so that the each of the networks such that no network can benefit any interference among IEEE 802.22 networks can be minimized; more by changing its own strategy unilaterally while the other else the throughput and quality of service (QoS) will be com- networks keep their strategies unchanged. This equilibrium is promised. Different from other IEEE 802 standards where self- known as the Nash equilibrium [10]. We conduct simulation experiments with multiple competing IEEE 802.22 networks B. Decision Problem the results of which successfully corroborates with theoretical We consider the most generic abstraction of “always greedy analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the and profit seeking” model of N competing IEEE 802.22 first attempt to apply the minority game framework in IEEE networks operated by wireless service providers. Without loss 802.22 networks and to solve the self–coexistence problem in of generality, we focus our attention on a particular network a distributed manner. i 2 N. Due to homogeneity of the networks, the same The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In section II, reasoning applies to all other networks. we design the self–coexistence problem as dynamic channel At the beginning of the game, each network dynamically switching game from a minority game model perspective. We chooses one of the M allowable spectrum bands for its analyze the game in section III with pure strategy and obtain operations. If two or more overlapped networks operate using sub-optimal solution. We extend the analysis to the mixed the same spectrum band, then interference will occur and strategy space in section IV to achieve Nash equilibrium. their transmissions will fail. Thus the networks will have to Simulation experiments and results are discussed in section V. make new decisions for channel switching in the next stage Conclusions are drawn in last section. of the game. Each of these stages of the game is formulated using modified minority game theoretic framework. The game II. GAME FORMULATION ends when all the networks are successful in capturing a clear spectrum band, and is re-initiated if the primary TV In this section, we formulate the self–coexistence problem transmission starts using IEEE 802.22 occupied band(s), and 1 as a dynamic channel switching game. We assume that thus the spectrum usage report changes for one or more N IEEE 802.22 networks (players) operated by N separate networks. In such a case, the IEEE 802.22 network(s) involved wireless service providers in a region are competing for one of will again try to access new band(s). The optimization problem M separate orthogonal spectrum bands not used by primary is to find the mechanism of achieving minimum number of incumbents. The IEEE 802.22 networks can be partially or failed transmission stages from the networks. completely overlapped geographically (i.e., coverage area) As far as the decision strategy in this MMG model is with each other. If one network is in the interference range of concerned, if interfered at any stage of the game, network another, they can not use the same spectrum band; otherwise i has the binary strategy set of switching to another band QoS of both the networks will suffer. In this scenario, we (expecting to find a free spectrum band) or staying on the model the dynamic channel switching as MMG where the current band (assuming the interferers will move away). Using aim of each network is to capture a spectrum band free of game theoretic notation, the binary strategy set for network i interference. We assume the only control information needed can be represented as for participating successfully in the MMG is the number of overlapping competitors in the region which can be known Si = fswitch; stayg (1) from the broadcasting beacons by each of the IEEE 802.22 networks in Foreign Beacon Period (FBP) [2]. Before, we To generalize, we assume the existence of strategy sets formulate the minority game, let us briefly discuss this theory. S1;S2; ¢ ¢ ¢ ;SN for the networks 1; 2; ¢ ¢ ¢ ;N. In this game, at every stage, if network 1 chooses strategy s1 2 S1, A. Minority Game Theory network 2 chooses strategy s2 2 S2 and so on, we can describe such a set of strategies chosen by all N networks Minority game theory, originally proposed by Challet and as one ordered N-tuple, s = fs1; s2; ¢ ¢ ¢ ; sN g. This vector of Zhang [5], is a branch of game theory for studying competition individual strategies is called a strategy profile (or sometimes and self–imposed cooperation in a non–cooperative game with a strategy combination).