Wireless Network Virtualization in Cellular IoT Networks for Smart City Application

Wireless Network Virtualization (WNV) enables the efficient sharing of limited Radio Access Network (RAN) resources between Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Virtual Network Operators (VNOs), facilitating support for emerging Internet of Things (IoT) applications in smart cities. This paper addresses the challenge of downlink IoT connectivity management through cellular networks. The study considers a single VNO that leases infrastructures-specifically base station (BS) density and RF transmit power-from multiple MNOs to ensure high coverage for a set of IoT devices (loDs). Considering the assignment of appropriate MNO to each 10D and RF transmit power as design variables, we formulate a constrained optimization problem to maximize the VNO's profit. The optimal power allocation is obtained using a convex optimization technique, while the MNO assignment problem is solved using weighted bipartite graph matching. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in maximizing the VNO's revenue while meeting the BS transmit power and BS density constraints of various MN Os.