Applications of Soft Computing in Mobile and Wireless Communications

Soft computing is a synergistic combination of artificial intelligence methodologies to model and solve real world problems that are either impossible or too difficult to model mathematically. Furthermore, the use of conventional modeling techniques demands rigor, precision and certainty, which carry computational cost. On the other hand, soft computing utilizes computation, reasoning and inference to reduce computational cost by exploiting tolerance for imprecision, uncertainty, partial truth and approximation. In addition to computational cost savings, soft computing is an excellent platform for autonomic computing, owing to its roots in artificial intelligence. Wireless communication networks are associated with much uncertainty and imprecision due to a number of stochastic processes such as escalating number of access points, constantly changing propagation channels, sudden variations in network load and random mobility of users. This reality has fuelled numerous applications of soft computing techniques in mobile and wireless communications. This paper reviews various applications of the core soft computing methodologies in mobile and wireless communications

A Soft Computing Approach to Dynamic Load Balancing in 3GPP LTE

A major objective of the 3GPP LTE standard is the provision of high-speed data services. These services must be guaranteed under varying radio propagation conditions, to stochastically distributed mobile users. A necessity for determining and regulating the traffic load of eNodeBs naturally ensues. Load balancing is a self-optimization operation of self-organizing networks (SON). It aims at ensuring an equitable distribution of users in the network. This translates into better user satisfaction and a more efficient use of network resources. Several methods for load balancing have been proposed. Most of the algorithms are based on hard (traditional) computing which does not utilize the tolerance for precision of load balancing. This paper proposes the use of soft computing, precisely adaptive Neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model for dynamic QoS aware load balancing in 3GPP LTE. The use of ANFIS offers learning capability of neural network and knowledge representation of fuzzy logic for a load balancing solution that is cost effective and closer to human intuitio

Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for Dynamic Load Balancing in 3GPP LTE

ANFIS is applicable in modeling of key parameters when investigating the performance and functionality of wireless networks. The need to save both capital and operational expenditure in the management of wireless networks cannot be over-emphasized. Automation of network operations is a veritable means of achieving the necessary reduction in CAPEX and OPEX. To this end, next generations networks such WiMAX and 3GPP LTE and LTE-Advanced provide support for self-optimization, self-configuration and self-healing to minimize human-to-system interaction and hence reap the attendant benefits of automation. One of the most important optimization tasks is load balancing as it affects network operation right from planning through the lifespan of the network. Several methods for load balancing have been proposed. While some of them have a very buoyant theoretical basis, they are not practically implementable at the current state of technology. Furthermore, most of the techniques proposed employ iterative algorithm, which in itself is not computationally efficient. This paper proposes the use of soft computing, precisely adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for dynamic QoS-aware load balancing in 3GPP LTE. Three key performance indicators (i.e. number of satisfied user, virtual load and fairness distribution index) are used to adjust hysteresis task of load balancing

Scheduling with Fuzzy Methods

Nowadays, manufacturing industries -- driven by fierce competition and rising customer requirements -- are forced to produce a broader range of individual products of rising quality at the same (or preferably lower) cost. Meeting these demands implies an even more complex production process and thus also an appropriately increasing request to its scheduling. Aggravatingly, vagueness of scheduling parameters -- such as times and conditions -- are often inherent in the production process. In addition, the search for an optimal schedule normally leads to very difficult problems (NP-hard problems in the complexity theoretical sense), which cannot be solved effciently. With the intent to minimize these problems, the introduced heuristic method combines standard scheduling methods with fuzzy methods to get a nearly optimal schedule within an appropriate time considering vagueness adequately

Data Analysis and Neuro-Fuzzy Technique for EOR Screening : Application in Angolan Oilfields

This study is sponsored by the Angolan National Oil Company (Sonangol EP) and the authors are grateful for their support and the permission to use the data and publish this manuscriptPeer reviewedPublisher PD