Throughput-efficient spectrum access in cognitive radio networks: A coalitional game theoretic approach

Cognitive radio based on dynamic spectrum access has emerged as a promising technology to meet the insatiable demand for radio spectrum by the emerging wireless applications. In this chapter, the authors address the problem of throughput-efficient spectrum access in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) using Coalitional Game-theoretic framework. They model the problem of joint Coalition Formation (CF) and Bandwidth (BW) allocation as a CF game in partition form with non-transferable utility and present a variety of algorithms to dynamically share the available spectrum resources among competing Secondary Users (SUs). First, the authors present a centralized solution to reach a sum-rate maximizing Nash-stable network partition. Next, a distributed CF algorithm is developed through which SUs may join/leave a coalition based on their individual preferences. Performance analysis shows that the CF algorithms with optimal BW allocation provides a substantial gain in the network throughput over existing coalition formation techniques as well as the simple cases of singleton and grand coalition.