Distributed resource allocation in full-duplex cellular networks with partial spectrum overlap

The feasibility of resource allocation schemes is a major challenge in the practical implementation of wireless systems. Decentralized resource allocation is one such feasibility requirement, as it yields optimized schemes when no centralized processing is possible. This paper evaluates one particular type of decentralized interference management schemes in a full-duplex (FD) cellular network. Consider an FD cellular network that allows flexible partial overlap between the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) frequency channel. The channel overlap generates self-interference, cross-mode interference and intra-mode interference. The performance of the system becomes, therefore, a function of the powers allocated at each base station (BS)-user pair, and the fraction of spectrum overlap between the DL and UL of each communicating pair. The paper considers the problem of maximizing a network-wide utility function subject to power constraints, so as to appropriately fine-tune the spectrum overlap and the transmit powers in a distributed manner across the network. The paper proposes solving the problem using the externalities approach, which can be implemented in a distributed fashion with a reasonable amount of information exchange between the network entities. The paper further examines three types of utility functions: the sum of log-rate, the network spectral efficiency, and the energy efficiency, so as to clearly describe the trade-off between the achieved rate, the consumed power, and UL/DL fairness in the FD setup. Simulation results highlight the convergence of the proposed distributed algorithm, and illustrate its performance under different utilities as compared to centralized solutions for various networks scenarios.