A priority-based channel allocation scheme for cellular networks

This paper presents a channel allocation model with dynamic priority support for cellular networks. Channels within a cell are divided into high and low priorities, while user calls are also differentiated by high and low priorities. High-priority channels can provide better QoS than low-priority channels. One of the innovatory designs is right in that if there are no high-priority channels available for a high-priority call, the high-priority call may dynamically downgrade its priority levels by sacrificing some QoS demands to utilize the low-priority channels. We analyze the proposed channel allocation schemes through a mathematical model. In the model, we build 4-D Markov chains and use MATLAB tool to evaluate blocking probability, call-incomplete probability, and channel utilization under different traffic loads. It is observed that the blocking probability of high-priority handoff and new calls can be substantially decreased and the channel utilization is increased, as compared to that of low-priority handoff and new calls.