Utility-based joint resource allocation and scheduling for indoor power line communications

This paper investigates resource allocation and scheduling schemes based on utility theory in a multiuser OFDM home power line communication (PLC) network since utility can evaluate network performance in terms of the level of users´ satisfaction from network resource provision. The proposed cross-layer scheme consists of two phases: subcarrier allocation at the physical (PHY) layer and scheduling scheme at the medium access control (MAC) layer, which dynamically integrates channel conditions and queue characteristics to ensure leveled quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. Moreover, a low-complexity algorithm is proposed to solve the allocation problem. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can greatly improve system performance on the basis of satisfying the QoS requirements of delay-sensitive services.