Distributed caching in mobile networks with heterogeneous content demand

Abstract

The proposed architecture implements a content sharing infrastructure using device-to-device wireless links towards the goal of reducing the usage cost of 3G/4G cellular links. For downloading digital content, a device can first search within the local mobile network at the edge for the requested content before downloading it from the CP's server. The expected usage of 3G/4G bandwidth in this approach can be lower. Building on a content pricing and sharing incentive structure, the paper first develops a new heterogeneous model for content request from mobile devices. Using this model, it then develops an optimal cooperative caching strategy with the goal of minimizing the content provisioning cost in wireless mobile networks. Using the mobile network simulator ONE, it is shown that the proposed mechanism is able to reduce bandwidth usage and the resulting content provisioning cost compared to traditional caching mechanisms in both monolithic and community-based mobility scenario.