WLC38-3: Simple Channel-Change Games for Spectrum Agile Wireless Networks

The proliferation of wireless networks on unlicensed communication bands is leading to coexisting networks, creating interference problems. In this paper, we present simple game-theoretic models of dynamic channel-change decision-making for intelligent, spectrum-agile wireless networks to address interference problems. The channel-change decisions depend on the cost of channel change and the level of interference on the current and new channels. Game-theoretic analysis reflects the choices and motivations of independent, rational, selfish decision makers that do not trust one another. We also compare these decisions to idealized, socially optimal decisions that maximize the expected benefit of the coexisting networks. While game-theoretic decisions are more suited to an untrusted environment, socially optimal decisions give better performance in a trusted environment.