Fair Cost Allocation in Cellular-Bluetooth Cooperation Scenarios

A promising paradigm, that answers crucial needs
raised by emerging wireless applications, foresees the cooperation
of multiple terminals over short-range wireless links
while downloading multimedia contents over long-range cellular
connections. Energy consumption reduction is just one of the
potential benefits the cited communication paradigm might offer.
Undoubtedly, the main issue raised by the new paradigm is to
develop a model of cooperative behavior, which can best meet the
expectations of all the cooperating entities. Unfortunately, classic
minimization problem solutions are usually conflicting with the
concept of fairness, as it is sensed by rational players. A joint
use of classical optimization and game theory based approaches
may contribute to overcome the highlighted dichotomy between
user satisfaction and stable minimal energy cost allocations. This
paper studies the interactions among users in the presence of a
cooperative file-sharing service and seeks appropriate solutions
to achieve the lowest energy consumption is possible while
motivating users to cooperate.