Efficient radio resource allocation is essential to provide quality of service (QoS) for wireless networks. In this article, a cross-layer resource allocation scheme is presented with the objective of maximizing system throughput, while providing guaranteed QoS for users. With the assumption of a finite queue for arrival packets, the proposed scheme dynamically allocates radio resources based on user’s channel characteristic and QoS metrics derived from a queuing model, which considers a packet arrival process modeled by discrete Markov modulated Poisson process (dMMPP), and a multirate transmission scheme achieved through adaptive modulation. The cross-layer resource allocation scheme operates over two steps. Specifically, the amount of bandwidth allocated to each user is first derived from a queuing analytical model, and then the algorithm finds the best subcarrier assignment for users. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme maximizes the system throughput while guaranteeing QoS for users. Efficient radio resource allocation is essential to provide quality of service (QoS) for wireless networks. In this article, a cross-layer resource allocation scheme is presented with the objective of maximizing system throughput, while providing guaranteed beings for users. With the assumption of a finite queue for arrival packets, the proposed scheme dynamically allocates radio resources based on user’s channel characteristic and QoS metrics derived from a queuing model, which considers a packet arrival process modeled by discrete Markov modulated Poisson process (dMMPP), and a multirate transmission scheme The adoption of adaptive modulation. The cross-layer resource allocation scheme operates over two steps. The amount of bandwidth allocated to each user is first derived from a queuing analytical model, and then the algorithm finds the best subcarrier assignment for users. show that the proposed scheme maximizes the system throughput while guaranteein g QoS for users.