Optimal resource allocation in multi-hop OFDMA wireless networks with cooperative relay

We consider an optimal resource allocation strategy for cooperative relaying-enabled OFDMA multi-hop wireless networks. A cross-layer optimization problem is formulated that maximizes the balanced end-to-end throughput under the routing and the PHY/MAC constraints. A dual method is employed to solve the problem efficiently and optimally. A cooperative relaying technique is incorporated into the framework by introducing virtual links and nodes. Half-duplex operation of the radios is assumed, and mutual interference between the links is explicitly modeled to allow maximal spatial reuse of the spectral resources. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate how the bottleneck phenomenon typical in multi-hop networks can be alleviated by the proposed technique to yield significant improvement in the throughput.