We will review some of the major results in random graphs and some of the more challenging open problems. We will cover algorithmic and structural questions. We will touch on newer models, including those related to the WWW.

Random graphs

Recent years have seen rapid deployment of mobile computing and Internet of Things (IoT) networks, which can be mostly attributed to the increasing communication and sensing capabilities of wireless systems. Big data analysis, pervasive computing, and eventually artificial intelligence (AI) are envisaged to be deployed on top of the IoT and create a new world featured by data-driven AI. In this context, a novel paradigm of merging AI and wireless communications, called Wireless AI that pushes AI frontiers to the network edge, is widely regarded as a key enabler for future intelligent network evolution. To this end, we present a comprehensive survey of the latest studies in wireless AI from the data-driven perspective. Specifically, we first propose a novel Wireless AI architecture that covers five key data-driven AI themes in wireless networks, including Sensing AI, Network Device AI, Access AI, User Device AI and Data-provenance AI. Then, for each data-driven AI theme, we present an overview on the use of AI approaches to solve the emerging data-related problems and show how AI can empower wireless network functionalities. Particularly, compared to the other related survey papers, we provide an in-depth discussion on the Wireless AI applications in various data-driven domains wherein AI proves extremely useful for wireless network design and optimization. Finally, research challenges and future visions are also discussed to spur further research in this promising area.

Enabling AI in Future Wireless Networks: A Data Life Cycle Perspective

For densely deployed wireless local area networks (WLANs), this paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning-based channel allocation scheme that enables the efficient use of experience. The central idea is that an objective function is modeled relative to communication quality as a parametric function of a pair of observed topologies and channels. This is because communication quality in WLANs is significantly influenced by the carrier sensing relationship between access points. The features of the proposed scheme can be summarized by two points. First, we adopt graph convolutional layers in the model to extract the features of the channel vectors with topology information, which is the adjacency matrix of the graph dependent on the carrier sensing relationships. Second, we filter experiences to reduce the duplication of data for learning, which can often adversely influence the generalization performance. Because fixed experiences tend to be repeatedly observed in WLAN channel allocation problems, the duplication of experiences must be avoided. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method enables the allocation of channels in densely deployed WLANs such that the system throughput increases. Moreover, improved channel allocation, compared to other existing methods, is achieved in terms of the system throughput. Furthermore, compared to the immediate reward maximization method, the proposed method successfully achieves greater reward channel allocation or realizes the optimal channel allocation while reducing the number of changes.

/pdf/deep-reinforcement-learning-based-channel-allocation-for-2yc0vssd46.pdf

Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Channel Allocation for Wireless LANs With Graph Convolutional Networks

Concurrent decentralized channel allocation and access point selection using multi-armed bandits in multi BSS WLANs

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is gaining a lot of traction in wireless systems with several practical implementations and numerous proposals being made. Despite instigating a shift from monolithic network architectures towards more modulated operations, automated network management requires the ability to extract, utilise and improve knowledge over time. Beyond simply scrutinizing data, Machine Learning (ML) is evolving from a simple tool applied in networking to an active component in what is known as Knowledge-Defined Networking (KDN). This work discusses the inclusion of ML techniques in the specific case of Software-Defined Wireless Local Area Networks (SD-WLANs), paying particular attention to the frame length optimization problem. With this in mind, we propose an adaptive ML-based approach for frame size selection on a per-user basis by taking into account both specific channel conditions and global performance indicators. By relying on standard frame aggregation mechanisms, the model can be seamlessly embedded into any Enterprise SD-WLAN by obtaining the data needed from the control plane, and then returning the output back to this in order to efficiently adapt the frame size to the needs of each user. Our approach has been gauged by analysing a multitude of scenarios, with the results showing an average improvement of 18.36% in goodput over standard aggregation mechanisms.

/pdf/adaptive-ml-based-frame-length-optimisation-in-enterprise-sd-1i3r28xes5.pdf

Adaptive ML-Based Frame Length Optimisation in Enterprise SD-WLANs

Today’s communication is mainly done over wireless networks, with IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) at the forefront. There are billions of devices and millions of access points (APs), but only very few non-overlapping channels. As a result, the performance of Wi-Fi devices is severely degraded, because perfect channel allocation - with every AP alone in its channel - is close to impossible. Even in situations where all networks are under centralised control, existing approaches quickly tend to be either unscalable or suboptimal. By focusing on a subset of problems, identifying Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) that severely interfere with each other, performance can be improved even in such a complex situation. We tackle this problem through machine learning and coin it Bad Neighbour Detection (BND). Based on this output alongside monitoring data about the networks’ activity, we then propose a channel allocation that optimises performance and as a side effect, stabilises networks that we do not control. We evaluate our approach in a field trial and show that we significantly improve the experience for users, eliminating virtually all interference-related issues.

Nick Godman

Papers

A Machine Learning Approach for IEEE 802.11 Channel Allocation