Cluster-based transmit power control in heterogeneous vehicular networks

Heterogeneous vehicular networks combine the advantages of multiple access technologies like LTE and DSRC. Such heterogeneous networks are often combined with clustering, which helps to aggregate information locally before sharing it in a wide area, thus reducing channel load. Another mechanism to reduce channel load is to reduce transmit power, but this requires accurate information or good heuristics. Otherwise, too low transmit power may cause increased packet loss, thus wasted channel capacity and overall reduced system performance. We present an approach that combines centrally managed clustering with transmit power control in a heterogeneous vehicular network. Here, centrally available knowledge can be relied on for transmit power control decisions. Based on computer simulation, we show that such a system can free up to 50% of channel capacity with no more than a 1% drop in system performance.