Joint resource allocation in mobile networks with macro cellular and Device-to-Device communication

We study the joint resource allocation problem of a mobile heterogeneous network composed of macro cellular users and Device-to-Device (D2D) links. Macro cellular users are always scheduled on uplink shared resources, whereas D2D links may use uplink shared resources, orthogonal resources reserved exclusively for D2D transmissions, or a combination of both types of resources. A sum utility maximization approach is used to determine the optimal amount of orthogonal D2D resources, and the best way to allocate the remaining part of non-orthogonal uplink shared resources among macro users. An-proportionally fair utility function is used at the macro base station to characterize the well-being of users, treating all users equally regardless of their type. Based on the centralized problem, two decentralized algorithms are derived to approximate the centralized solution with limited amounts of signaling exchange. From the observed performance results, it is possible to conclude that the proposed decentralized algorithms provide a practical way to control the average/minimum data rate in a mobile network that combines both macro cellular users and D2D links.