Resource allocation for real time services using cooperative game theory and a virtual token mechanism in LTE networks

In this paper a two level resource allocation scheme is proposed to enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) for multimedia services in LTE downlink system. It corresponds to a solution that combines cooperative game theory, a virtual token mechanism, and the EXP-RULE algorithm. By using cooperative game theory such as bankruptcy game and Shapley value, the proposed mechanism works by forming coalitions between flow classes to distribute bandwidth fairly. EXP-RULE algorithm has been modified to use a virtual token mechanism to improve its performance. By taking into account constraints such as Shapley value fairness and the virtual token robustness, the proposed mechanism can increase remarkably the performance for real time flows such as video and VoIP in downlink system. The performance evaluation is conducted in terms of system throughput, packet loss ratio (PLR), cell spectral efficiency and fairness index.