SynergyWave: Bandwidth Splitting and Power Control in Integrated Access and Backhaul Networks

Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) networking paradigm and the use of mm-wave technology have emerged as key enablers for the deployment of B5G/6G systems. In this paper we introduce the SynergyWave framework that empowers the IAB nodes and the users to independently optimize their transmission power levels, while simultaneously the IAB nodes perform optimal bandwidth splitting across the access and backhaul links. The key objective of SynergyWave framework is the enhancement of the energy efficiency of each participating entity in a decentralized and autonomous manner. Exploiting the channel modeling framework established by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for mm-wave networks, we initially model the achievable data rate for both the access and backhaul links in the IAB network. Subsequently, a two-stage energy efficiency optimization problem is formulated and treated based on a Stackelberg game theoretic approach. In particular, it models and optimizes resource allocation in mm-wave IAB networks, determining optimal bandwidth splitting and uplink transmission power levels for IAB nodes and their users. The SynergyWave framework is assessed via modeling and simulation, and the obtained numerical results demonstrate that substantial energy efficiency improvements can be achieved for both users and IAB nodes.