Channel Efficiency Aware Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Services in Wireless Networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of scheduling real time services over time-varying wireless links in broadband wireless networks where an Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) scheme is applied in the physical layer in order to decrease the packet error rate. It is well known that a properly chosen modulation and coding scheme can increase error robustness in the physical layer. However, this is at the expense of higher system complexity and decreased channel efficiency. We present a novel Near Maximum Weighted Bipartite Matching (NMWBM) scheduling algorithm, which schedules real time services in accordance with delay bounds and physical layer modulation and coding modes. Numerical results set in the context of IEEE 802.16 networks show that NMWBM can improve system packet throughput and provide higher channel efficiency compared to the existing Earliest Deadline First scheduling algorithm. NMWBM provides this improved performance while meeting delay bound and packet loss rate requirements of real time services in broadband wireless networks.