A Channel-Change Game for Multiple Interfering Cognitive Wireless Networks

The proliferation of wireless networks on unlicensed communication bands is leading to coexisting networks, creating interference problems. In this paper, we present a game-theoretic model of dynamic channel change for multiple highly interfering cognitive wireless networks. The channel-change decisions depend on the number of coexisting networks and the cost of channel change. Game-theoretic analysis reflects the choices and motivations of independent, rational, selfish decision makers that do not trust one another. The channel-change probability is shown to increase with the number of coexisting networks. We also compare these decisions to idealized, socially optimal decisions that maximize the expected benefit of the coexisting networks. The difference between the two analyses gives the cost of non-cooperation. We see that this cost goes down as the number of networks increases