Resource Allocation in D2D-Enabled Cellular Networks Using Hierarchical Game

We consider a scenario that device-to-device (D2D) communication is enabled in a cellular network. The licensed spectrum of the macro-cell operator is divided into sub-bands, which are able to be leased to the unlicensed subscribers to perform D2D communication. The licensed subscribers of the macro-cell in the shared sub-bands are protected by the maximum tolerable interference level constraint, while the unlicensed subscribers seek chances to transmit in multiple sub-bands with a limited amount of power. We propose a hierarchical game framework to investigate the distributed solution of the resource allocation problems in this scenario. The hierarchical game contains a Stackelberg game which is imposed to protect the licensed subscribers and an overlapping coalition formation game (OCF-game) to jointly allocate the power and sub-bands to the unlicensed subscribers. Distributed algorithm to achieve the Stackelberg Equilibrium (SE) of the proposed game is provided.