Developments such as machine-to-machine communications and multimedia services are placing growing demands on high-speed reliable transmissions and limited wireless spectrum resources. Although multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems have shown the ability to provide reliable transmissions in fading channels, it is not practical for single-antenna devices to support MIMO system due to cost and hardware limitations. Cooperative communication allows single-antenna devices to share their spectrum resources and form a virtual MIMO system where their quality of service (QoS) may be improved via cooperation. Most cooperative communication solutions are based on fixed spectrum access schemes and thus cannot further improve spectrum efficiency. In order to support more users in the existing spectrum, we consider dynamic spectrum access schemes and cognitive radio techniques in this dissertation.

Our work includes the modelling, characterization and optimization of QoS-constrained cooperative networks and cognitive radio networks. QoS constraints such as delay and data rate are modelled. To solve power control and channel resource allocation problems, dynamic power control, matching theory and multi-armed bandit algorithms are employed in our investigations. In this dissertation, we first consider a cluster-based cooperative wireless network utilizing a centralized cooperation model. The dynamic power control and optimization problem is analyzed in this scenario. We then consider a cooperative cognitive radio network utilizing an opportunistic spectrum access model. Distributed spectrum access algorithms are proposed to help secondary users utilize vacant channels of primary users in order to optimize the total utility of the network. Finally, a noncooperative cognitive radio network utilizing the opportunistic spectrum access model is analyzed. In this model, primary users do not communicate with secondary users. Therefore, secondary users are required to find vacant channels on which to transmit. Multi-armed bandit algorithms are proposed to help secondary users predict the availability of licensed channels.

In summary, in this dissertation we consider both cooperative communication networks and cognitive radio networks with QoS constraints. Efficient power control and channel resource allocation schemes have been proposed for optimization problems in different scenarios.