A joint utilility-token bucket packet scheduling algorithm for IEEE 802.16e WiMAX networks

Abstract

A new Packet Scheduler whose architecture is based on the cross-layer paradigm is proposed for the IEEE 802.16e standard of Mobile WiMAX networks. The scheduler combines functionalities derived from the use of the utility function concept from economics, for the satisfaction of the maximum packet delay from real time service flows, and the token bucket principle for the support of minimum throughput requirements from non-real time service flows. Commonly used packet schedulers in the literature are used in the performance evaluation of the proposed scheduler, by means of System Level Simulations under a realistic network layout, conducted on a proprietary C++ platform, fully compatible with the IEEE 802.16e standard. Performance is evaluated by means of the percentage of satisfied users for a given range of the system load (amount of active users in the system).