Capacity optimization in multiservice mobile wireless networks with multiple fractional channel reservation

In this paper, the multiple fractional channel reservation (MFCR) strategy for service differentiation is proposed. MFCR overcomes the "integer nature" of traditional channel reservation schemes (also referred to as guard channel, trunk reservation, or cutoff priority) that precludes them to achieve maximum system capacity in single- and multiservice environments. Contrary to the rest of the channel reservation schemes previously proposed in the literature on the topic, MFCR reserves, on average, real numbers of channels to prioritize new and/or handoff calls in multiple service environments. Given a set of requirements on new call blocking and forced termination probabilities for each service type, MFCR maximizes system capacity while meeting the quality of service (QoS) constraints in multiservice mobile cellular networks. It finely controls the communication service quality, by varying the average numbers of reserved channels by a fraction of one. Determining the right amount of resources (cutoff threshold or number of reserved channels) to prioritize each call type and to satisfy all QoS constraints in multiservice environments, however, is a difficult task. Selecting the optimal prioritization order is not an easy process either, as it is affected by QoS constraints, system characteristics, and resource sharing. Thus, an heuristic algorithm to determine the optimum numbers of reserved (resources) channels to achieve maximum system capacity when using the MFCR is also proposed. To our knowledge, the capacity optimization problem considering individual QoS constraints had only been addressed in single service environments. Also, a comprehensive survey on channel reservation strategies proposed in the literature has been included.