Utility-based power control via convex pricing for the uplink in CDMA wireless networks

Efficient power allocation is a key element in supporting real time services´ QoS prerequisites in the uplink of CDMA wireless networks. Game-theoretic approaches have been applied to study the power control problem, aiming at users´ utilities maximization. However, in many cases the corresponding Nash equilibrium solutions introduce several inefficiencies. To tackle this problem in this paper we adopt a utility-based approach, and utilize a game theoretical framework with convex pricing of users´ transmission powers, to obtain an efficient power allocation in the uplink of CDMA wireless networks supporting only real-time services with specific QoS characteristics. A Pareto optimal solution of the formulated noncooperative game is obtained analytically. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated via modeling and simulation and it is compared against the results of the corresponding game with linear pricing, in terms of achievable users´ utilities and transmission powers.