Wireless multicast with multi-user diversity

Efficient wireless packet data access is possible by exploiting multi-user diversity. This is done by using an opportunistic multiple access system that allocates system resources to one user at a time while using adaptive modulation and coding. A scheduling algorithm provides resource allocation in such a system, and its proper design is crucial in ensuring satisfactory system performance. Multicasting is a spectrally efficient method of supporting group communication by allowing transmission of packets to multiple destinations using fewer resources. When the wireless opportunistic multiple access system provides a multitude of services, at least one of which is a multicast service, the scheduler needs to incorporate the service type as well as the time-varying wireless channel states and the individual observed user latencies for proper resource allocation. The paper presents a number of efficient scheduling algorithms that enable such an operation. Extensive, detailed simulations are performed to show the feasibility of the multicast service provisioning in the opportunistic multiple access system.