Subcarrier based resource allocation

Normally resource allocation is considered from the view point of users and the algorithms are designed so as to maximize total data rate supported while maintaining some constraints on quality of service and fairness. In this paper we approach the problem from the subcarrier´s perspective. We propose a novel subcarrier based resource allocation scheme that assigns a subcarrier either to a single user or to more than one user on time shared basis according to the users´ signal to noise ratios. This approach offers extra degree of freedom because unlike in user based schemes, in subcarrier based approach each user in principle can contend for any subcarrier unless it has already fulfilled its rate demand. Our simulation results demonstrate improved capacity without degradation of fairness.