Energy efficient pricing scheme for multi-homing in heterogeneous wireless access networks: A game theoretic model and its analysis

For improving Quality of Service in wireless networks, multi-homing techniques have been considered as a promising solution. To date, most of the conventional research efforts have been focusing on user side interests (e.g. improving throughput, minimizing packet loss). However, a service provider could have different interests (e.g. profit, energy efficiency). Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, there is no research concern that takes into account the interests of user and service provider side at the same time. In this paper, we first model utility functions of both sides considering the aforementioned issues. Then, based on these utility functions we address the joint pricing and load distribution problem of multi-homing in heterogeneous wireless networks. Here, the problem is formulated into a Stackelberg game. Then, we propose schemes to obtain an optimal solution; so that, both sides (i.e. service providers and users) are satisfied. Finally, we provide rigorous analysis varying different parameters (e.g. cost, rate allocation, energy efficiency) which can potentially affect to the game. In addition to that, we show the proposed schemes are well converged to equilibrium point.