Path selection with zone load-balance for IEEE 802.16j T-MMR networks

The Path Selection Problem (PSP) is essential for achieving high system capacity in IEEE 802.16j Mobile Multihop Relay (MMR) networks. In this paper, we focus on the PSP in IEEE 802.16j transparent MMR (T-MMR) systems, and point out the PSP is tightly bound with spectrum efficiencies and load-balance between resources. In IEEE 802.16 standard family, the resource for cyclic operations is defined as a frame, which can be further divided into multiple zones for MMR operations. Since there exists load-balance problem between zones, a path selection scheme with zone load-balance (ZLB) concept is proposed. It protects system from zone load-balance violation with an average spectrum efficiency set, which can be predicted in a deployment analysis. Besides, we will demonstrate that an optimal zone ratio can be obtained by the analytical scheme as well. The proposed analytical and path selection schemes form a fine-grained bundle for resource allocation in IEEE 802.16j T-MMR networks.