Dynamic Model for Network Selection in Next Generation HetNets with Memory-affecting Rational Users

TL;DR

This paper introduces a dynamic network selection model for 5G HetNets that incorporates users' memory effects, using fractional evolutionary game theory to analyze stability and utility outcomes, revealing benefits of positive memory effects.

Contribution

It develops a novel fractional evolutionary game framework considering memory effects in user decision-making for network selection in HetNets, with analytical and numerical stability analysis.

Findings

Positive memory effects improve user utility.

Memory effects mitigate utility loss from small-scale fading.

Unique and stable equilibrium exists in the proposed model.

Abstract

Recently, due to the staggering growth of wireless data traffic, heterogeneous networks have drawn tremendous attention due to the capabilities of enhancing the capacity/coverage and to save energy consumption for the next generation wireless networks. In this paper, we study a long-run user-centric network selection problem in the 5G heterogeneous network, where the network selection strategies of the users can be investigated dynamically. Unlike the conventional studies on the long-run model, we incorporate the memory effect and consider the fact that the decision-making of the users is affected by their memory, i.e., their past service experience. Namely, the users select the network based on not only their instantaneous achievable service experience but also their past service experience within their memory. Specifically, we model and study the interaction among the users in the framework of fractional evolutionary game based on the classical evolutionary game theory and the concept of the power-law memory. We analytically prove that the equilibrium of the fractional evolutionary game exists, is unique and uniformly stable. We also numerically demonstrate the stability of the fractional evolutionary equilibrium. Extensive numerical results have been conducted to evaluate the performance of the fractional evolutionary game. The numerical results have revealed some insightful findings. For example, the user in the fractional evolutionary game with positive memory effect can achieve a higher cumulative utility compared with the user in the fractional evolutionary game with negative memory effect. Moreover, the fractional evolutionary game with positive memory effect can reduce the loss in the user's cumulative utility caused by the small-scale fading.