LASER: A load-aware spectral-efficient routing metric for path selection in IEEE 802.16j multi-hop relay networks

For coverage extension and throughput enhancement, the IEEE 802.16j task group has developed a novel multi-hop relay network architecture to enable typical IEEE 802.16 networks to achieve data transmission between base stations and mobile stations via a multi-hop path with relay stations deployment. How to determine an effective path for throughput gain and overhead reduction is emerging and crucial in IEEE 802.16 multi-hop relay networks. This paper introduces a load-aware spectral-efficient routing metric, called LASER, to evaluate paths, and proposes an efficient scheme to determine a proper path. Based on the LASER metric, the proposed path selection scheme formulates the path cost as the summation of cost of each link, and the path with the minimum cost will be selected as the appropriate one. Simulation results show that the proposed LASER-based path selection scheme significantly outperforms existing path selection schemes in network throughput and map overhead.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Design a new metric for path selection in IEEE 802.16j MR networks. ► Explore the effect of traffic load and spectral efficiency on path selection. ► Design a cost function based on the proposed metric. ► Considering link load and spectral efficiency will improve system throughput. ► Considering link load and spectral efficiency will reduce system overhead.