Optimal Resource Allocation for Multimedia Applications over Multiaccess Fading Channels

Abstract

We study the problem of optimal resource allocation for multi-user multiaccess wireless video communication from an information-theoretic point of view. We derive the optimal resource allocation policies by directly maximizing at the application layer the weighted sum of video qualities of all users, subject to information-theoretic multiaccess capacity region constraints in the MAC-PHY layers. We solve this problem for three multiaccess capacity regions: (1) non-fading channel, (2) fading channel with a given power control policy, and (3) fading channel with dynamic power control policies. The optimal resource allocation policy is referred as largest quality improvement highest possible rate (LQIHPR). We propose simple greedy algorithms to implement this policy. Since the capacity region is the fundamental characterization of achievable rates, the solutions developed in this paper provide the operational upper bound of achievable video quality in a multiaccess fading channel.