A cooperative bidding strategy for optimization of resource allocation of heterogeneous users in cognitive radio network

In cognitive radio (CR) networks, the revenue of secondary users (SUs)—a critical determinant of system stability and sustainability—is often overlooked, particularly in scenarios involving heterogeneous SUs. To accurately model cooperative spectrum purchasing among such users, this paper introduces a novel bidding model based on the boxed pigs game from game theory. By analyzing the demand and profit characteristics of subordinate SUs, the model identifies their optimal bidding strategy. A comprehensive evaluation framework is further designed to assess key performance indicators, including throughput and packet rejection rate. Within this framework, the proposed bidding model is compared with a conventional traffic-based approach. Numerical results demonstrate that the boxed game-based bidding mechanism significantly improves the revenue of resource-constrained SUs and maintains cooperation sustainability under adverse conditions. Thus, this study offers a new perspective on bidding strategies for heterogeneous SUs to enhance resource allocation in CR networks.