4 research outputs found
Usage of Network Simulators in Machine-Learning-Assisted 5G/6G Networks
Without any doubt, Machine Learning (ML) will be an important driver of
future communications due to its foreseen performance when applied to complex
problems. However, the application of ML to networking systems raises concerns
among network operators and other stakeholders, especially regarding
trustworthiness and reliability. In this paper, we devise the role of network
simulators for bridging the gap between ML and communications systems. In
particular, we present an architectural integration of simulators in ML-aware
networks for training, testing, and validating ML models before being applied
to the operative network. Moreover, we provide insights on the main challenges
resulting from this integration, and then give hints discussing how they can be
overcome. Finally, we illustrate the integration of network simulators into
ML-assisted communications through a proof-of-concept testbed implementation of
a residential Wi-Fi network
Potential and pitfalls of multi-armed bandits for decentralized spatial reuse in WLANs
Spatial Reuse (SR) has recently gained attention to maximize the performance of IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Decentralized mechanisms are expected to be key in the development of SR solutions for next-generation WLANs, since many deployments are characterized by being uncoordinated by nature. However, the potential of decentralized mechanisms is limited by the significant lack of knowledge with respect to the overall wireless environment. To shed some light on this subject, we show the main considerations and possibilities of applying online learning to address the SR problem in uncoordinated WLANs. In particular, we provide a solution based on Multi-Armed Bandits (MABs) whereby independent WLANs dynamically adjust their frequency channel, transmit power and sensitivity threshold. To that purpose, we provide two different strategies, which refer to selfish and environment-aware learning. While the former stands for pure individual behavior, the second one considers the performance experienced by surrounding networks, thus taking into account the impact of individual actions on the environment. Through these two strategies we delve into practical issues of applying MABs in wireless networks, such as convergence guarantees or adversarial effects. Our simulation results illustrate the potential of the proposed solutions for enabling SR in future WLANs. We show that substantial improvements on network performance can be achieved regarding throughput and fairness.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Programme (MDM-2015-0502), by the Catalan Government SGR grant for research support (2017-SGR-1188), by the European Regional Development Fund under grant TEC2015-71303-R (MINECO/FEDER), and by a Gift from the Cisco University Research Program (CG#890107, Towards Deterministic Channel Access in High-Density WLANs) Fund, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Potential and pitfalls of multi-armed bandits for decentralized spatial reuse in WLANs
Spatial Reuse (SR) has recently gained attention to maximize the performance of IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Decentralized mechanisms are expected to be key in the development of SR solutions for next-generation WLANs, since many deployments are characterized by being uncoordinated by nature. However, the potential of decentralized mechanisms is limited by the significant lack of knowledge with respect to the overall wireless environment. To shed some light on this subject, we show the main considerations and possibilities of applying online learning to address the SR problem in uncoordinated WLANs. In particular, we provide a solution based on Multi-Armed Bandits (MABs) whereby independent WLANs dynamically adjust their frequency channel, transmit power and sensitivity threshold. To that purpose, we provide two different strategies, which refer to selfish and environment-aware learning. While the former stands for pure individual behavior, the second one considers the performance experienced by surrounding networks, thus taking into account the impact of individual actions on the environment. Through these two strategies we delve into practical issues of applying MABs in wireless networks, such as convergence guarantees or adversarial effects. Our simulation results illustrate the potential of the proposed solutions for enabling SR in future WLANs. We show that substantial improvements on network performance can be achieved regarding throughput and fairness
Potential and pitfalls of multi-armed bandits for decentralized spatial reuse in WLANs
Spatial Reuse (SR) has recently gained attention to maximize the performance of IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Decentralized mechanisms are expected to be key in the development of SR solutions for next-generation WLANs, since many deployments are characterized by being uncoordinated by nature. However, the potential of decentralized mechanisms is limited by the significant lack of knowledge with respect to the overall wireless environment. To shed some light on this subject, we show the main considerations and possibilities of applying online learning to address the SR problem in uncoordinated WLANs. In particular, we provide a solution based on Multi-Armed Bandits (MABs) whereby independent WLANs dynamically adjust their frequency channel, transmit power and sensitivity threshold. To that purpose, we provide two different strategies, which refer to selfish and environment-aware learning. While the former stands for pure individual behavior, the second one considers the performance experienced by surrounding networks, thus taking into account the impact of individual actions on the environment. Through these two strategies we delve into practical issues of applying MABs in wireless networks, such as convergence guarantees or adversarial effects. Our simulation results illustrate the potential of the proposed solutions for enabling SR in future WLANs. We show that substantial improvements on network performance can be achieved regarding throughput and fairness.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the Maria de Maeztu Units of Excellence Programme (MDM-2015-0502), by the Catalan Government SGR grant for research support (2017-SGR-1188), by the European Regional Development Fund under grant TEC2015-71303-R (MINECO/FEDER), and by a Gift from the Cisco University Research Program (CG#890107, Towards Deterministic Channel Access in High-Density WLANs) Fund, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation