Analysis and design of wireless systems with interface and provider diversity: competition and cooperation

In this thesis we propose research towards evaluating wireless systems which may be based on multiple providers using different technologies, and in which end-systems can select among multiple wireless interfaces and/or modes of communication. A key element in this context is the typically distributed decision making mechanism and associated criterion used by end nodes to select among multiple interfaces or modes of communication. We propose to investigate this problem from two perspectives. First how such decision-making impacts the ability of providers compete with each other. And second, how one might design such decision making mechanisms along with associated network engineering tools so as to minimize cost and optimize system capacity when providers or end-systems choose to cooperate. Our focus will be to investigate the large-scale system performance. As such we propose to devise simple stochastic geometric models capturing the salient features of such systems, e.g., locations of access points and users, coverage areas, spatial nature of available capacity and modeling of decision-making strategies which are spatially dependent. The research presented in this thesis provides a formal basis along with some of the basic insights underlying the design and evaluation of such large-scale vii heterogeneous wireless systems.