Interference calculus. A general framework for interference management and network utility optimization. (Q640815)

A fundamental problem in the analysis and optimisation of multi-user systems is that of modelling and optimising performance trade-offs, which arise when users share a limited resource or if they are coupled by mutual interference. This book proposes an abstract theory for the analysis and optimisation of such systems. At the core of the proposed methodological framework is the concept of general interference functions, which provides a simple means of characterising interdependencies between users. The entire analysis builds on the two core axioms, scale-invariance and monotonicity. The proposed approach has its roots in power control theory and wireless communications, while, by adding theoretical tools for the analysis of the typical behaviour of interference-coupled networks, it complements existing game-theoretic approaches. It should also be viewed in conjunction with optimisation theory. There is a fruitful interplay between the theory of interference functions and convex optimisation theory. By jointly exploiting the properties of interference functions, it is possible to design algorithms that outperform general-purpose techniques that only exploit convexity. Within its six chapters, the book provides an overview of recent advances in the field with particular emphasis on analysing the elementary structure properties of interference functions, which is essential for the design of efficient optimisation algorithms. Its focus is on wireless communications network problems, however, the provided axiomatic framework is quire generic, thus may be useful to researchers from other disciplines. Generally, the targeted audience includes graduate students of engineering and applied mathematics, as well as academic and industrial researchers in the field of wireless communications, networking, control and game theory. No particular background is needed for reading the book, except for some familiarity with basic concepts from convex analysis and linear algebra.