A Non-cooperative Pairwise Matrices Game Model for Heterogeneous Network Selection

To satisfy and maximize the profit of both users and networks in all kinds of heterogeneous wireless networks, end users require appropriate selection of an optimal radio access network. At the same time consistent wireless networks have to select users to maximize its profit and the game theory is developed to address the questions how rational decision makers can interact to achieve their objectives and get extensive applications. To this end, this paper proposes a non-cooperative game model for network selection that models the network selection process as a game between the access networks and users, which can gain benefits for both users and networks. In this sense, networks play against users so as to maximize their profit, subject to satisfying QoS for all users and load for networks. The equilibrium of the game as the output makes the decision from which both users and networks mutually choose. Best response leads to suboptimal solution if equilibrium does not exist. Numerical results confirm that the game model leads to a profit tradeoff for both users and networks, compared with that only from the users´ or networks´ point of view.