A spectrum allocation algorithm for device-to-device underlaying networks based on auction theory

Faced with the shortage of the radio resource in recent years, device-to-device (D2D) communication as an underlay to cellular networks has drawn much attention. Since D2D links will reuse the spectrum resources of cellular users, which will cause severe interference if not well controlled. In this paper we propose a spectrum allocation algorithm based on auction theory and a modified multi-auctioneer progressive spectrum auction mechanism is introduced. In order to ensure the fairness of different D2D users in the auction, a concept of maximum auction budget is also introduced. Moreover, a second round auction mechanism is considered in the algorithm in order to further improve the spectrum utilization. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm can enhance the income of the base station (BS) greatly and ensure the fairness of all D2D users. It is further shown that this algorithm can reduce the number of starving users effectively.