BER-based vs. game-theoretic power allocation strategies for multiuser MISO systems

Motivated by the extensive use of game-theoretic strategies for uplink power control in CDMA, we compare in this paper a strategy based on the widespread utility function used in the literature with other traditional schemes based on the BER. Here, we focus on the downlink of a communication system. Basically, that utility function is a ratio between the frame success rate and the used power. It is shown in this paper that the strategy maximizing the utility implies a higher error rate than for other classical schemes, which was not shown in the literature to the best of our knowledge. Finally, we briefly discuss the usefulness of pricing mechanisms in a game-theoretic formulation of the power control.