QoS-aware load-balancing algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks

Abstract

For efficient network resources dispatching in heterogeneous wireless network scenarios, a Quality of Service (QoS) aware load-balancing algorithm was proposed. Based on the characteristics of different wireless services, the algorithm defines a utility function for each terminal to represent its QoS experience and a utility function for each Radio Access Network (RAN) to represent its load level. The definitions apply to all heterogeneous RANs. The algorithm conducts an iterative load-balancing procedure, where it always tries to handover a terminal, which is with low QoS utility and resource utilization served by the busiest RAN, to another RAN, which has the lightest load among the RANs. This RAN with the lightest load is capable of increasing the terminal's QoS utility, until network load balance is reached. Such a procedure can help to realize better wireless resource deployment and ensure terminal QoS. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively increase the throughput, reduce the time-delay and packet loss rate of the network.