Green Power Control in Cognitive Wireless Networks

A decentralized network of cognitive and noncognitive transmitters where each transmitter aims at maximizing his energy efficiency is considered. The cognitive transmitters are assumed to be able to sense the transmit power of their noncognitive counterparts and the former have a cost for sensing. The Stackelberg equilibrium analysis of this two-level hierarchical game is conducted, which allows us to better understand the effects of cognition on energy efficiency. In particular, it is proven that the network energy efficiency is maximized when only a given fraction of terminals are cognitive. Then, we study a sensing game where all the transmitters are assumed to take the decision of whether to sense (namely to be cognitive) or not. This game is shown to be a weighted potential game, and its set of equilibria is studied. Playing the sensing game in a first phase (e.g., of a time slot) and then playing the power control game is shown to be more efficient individually for all transmitters than playing a game where a transmitter would jointly optimize whether to sense his power level, showing the existence of a kind of Braess paradox. The derived results are illustrated by numerical results and provide some insights on how to deploy cognitive radios in heterogeneous networks in terms of sensing capabilities.