Meng Li, F. Richard Yu, Pengbo Si, Yanhua Zhang · 5 authors
Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted great interests. The accuracy of data training model in AI is vital for further development of IoT. In addition, with the increasing number of intelligent IoT devices, the amounts of data available for transmission, learning and training can lead to serious communication burdens and data reliability issues. In order to address these issues, we study novel network architectures in future 6G networks to support the intelligent IoT. Moreover, inspired by the collective learning of humans, we introduce and adopt a novel method named as collective reinforcement learning (CRL) in the intelligent IoT to realize the sharing of learning and training results. To ensure security and privacy, as well as improve computing efficiency, blockchain, mobile edge computing (MEC) and cloud computing are applied to protect data security and enrich computing resources. On this basis, we formulate an optimization problem in the intelligent IoT based on the proposed framework to optimize transmission latency and energy consumption. Simulation results demonstrate that the system performance has improved significantly. At last, some research challenges and open issues are pointed out to the intelligent IoT in future networks.
Dennis Krummacker, Benedikt Veith, Daniel Lindenschmitt, Hans D. Schotten
The introduction of local, area-restricted, so-called Private Spectrum, first in 5G, enabled new usage scenarios previously not possible. At the same time though, it also raises new conflict potential because with that, in principle multiple operators occupy the same frequency range. While this is no problem in first consequence, as they usually operate spatially separated, it becomes problematic in certain scenarios, which are Nomadic Networks. Such are full-fledged mobile infrastructures on a mobile basis, designed to be used on demand on different locations. When such a network moves into the coverage of a stationary infrastructure, it might require using spectrum licensed by the stationary network. To enable this, we developed a concept to introduce two new functions to the core for managing the coexistent shared spectrum access while also handling this whole procedure in a trustworthy manner, particularly in respect of regulation authorities; to track and verify the co-existent spectrum utilization. To create this trust, involved data, like the interaction between the two networks and operation conditions are logged using Distributed Ledger Technology. Also discussed are required modifications to the state-of-the-art for including our solution and possible solution strategies for involved obstacles are presented.
In this paper, we propose a dynamic spectrum allocation (DSA) scheme DeepBlocks at the backdrop of sixth-generation (6G) communication networks that address the challenges of fixed spectrum allocations (FSA). The scheme exploits the advantages of deep-Q-network (DQN) and minimizes the search state explosion through a reward-penalty framework. A dynamic allocation of unallocated resource blocks (RBs) to mobile units (MUs) is carried out and once the allocation of RBs is complete, we integrate blockchain (BC) to record the transactional ledgers. The resource usage of MUs is recorded through smart contracts (SCs). We model the proposed scheme as a convex optimization problem, and subproblems are decomposed into a Pareto-optimal solution via Techebyecheff decomposition. In the simulation, we compare our scheme against FSA, and fifth-generation (5G) based DSA schemes like reinforcement learning (RL), deep neural networks (DNN)-based, and duelling DQN based schemes. The comparative analysis of 6G-DQN is modeled in terms of reward formulation, scalability of 6G-DQN-assisted DSA, and profit scenarios of BC-based allocation through intelligent channel control. The scheme proposes significant findings, with the best fit learning rate of 0.0001, and takes 500 episodes to converge to 60 total resource blocks. The servicing latency of the scheme is 272.4 ms, compared to 2010 ms in the duelling DQN approach. In spectrum allocation, an improvement of 26.32% is observed against non-DQN approaches, and 13.57% in the fairness parameter for spectrum allocation due to BC inclusion. The findings present the scheme efficacy for DSA over the aforementioned conventional approaches.
Mehmet Ozgen Ozdogan, Levent Çarkacıoğlu, Berk Canberk
With the rapid development of intelligent devices in wireless communication, the fifth generation (5G) mobile networks have limited high data rates, low latency, high avail-ability demands. The sixth-generation (6G) mobile network can use Digital-twin (DT) techniques to meet these demands. DT is the virtual representation of physical aspects such as 6G edge nodes. DT optimize the 6G edge nodes parameters using artificial intelligence (AI) and especially machine learning (ML) algorithms. However, AI and ML bring along privacy and security concerns. Therefore, user data must be protected from unauthorized persons during the 6G edge network recovery and expansion phases. In this paper, we proposed a new reliable Digital Twin-based 6G edge network recovery framework using Blockchain technology. We applied the Transfer Learning (TL) technique to improve our proposed framework’s performance. We ensured data privacy and security using TL and Blockchain.
Space-air-ground integrated network is capable of providing seamless and ubiquitous services to cater for the increasing wireless communication demands of emerging applications. However, how to efficiently manage the heterogeneous resources and protect the privacy of connected devices is a very challenging issue, especially under the highly dynamic network topology and multiple trustless network operators. In this paper, we investigate blockchain-empowered dynamic spectrum management by reaping the advantages of blockchain and software defined network (SDN), where operators are incentive to share their resources in a common resourced pool. We first propose a blockchain enabled spectrum management framework for space-air-ground integrated network, with inter-slice spectrum sharing and intra-slice spectrum allocation. Specifically, the inter-slice spectrum sharing is realized through a consortium blockchain formed by the upper-tier SDN controllers, and then a graph coloring based channel assignment algorithm is proposed to manage the intra-slice spectrum assignment. A bilateral confirmation protocol and a consensus mechanism are also proposed for the consortium blockchain. The simulation results prove that our proposed consensus algorithm takes less time than practical Byzantine fault tolerance algorithm to reach a consensus, and the proposed channel assignment algorithm significantly improves the spectrum utilization and outperforms the baseline algorithm in both simulation and real-world scenarios.
The blockchain-enabled smart logistics market is expected to grow worth USD 1620 billion and at a compound annual growth rate of 62.4%. Smart logistics ensures intelligence infrastructure, logistics automation, real-time analysis of supply chain data synchronization of the logistics process, cost transparency, unbroken shipment tracking all the way down to the transportation route, etc. In the smart logistics domain, significant advancement and growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors are evident. However, the connectivity of IoT systems, including Tactile Internet, without proper safeguards creates vulnerabilities that can still be deliberately or inadvertently cause disruption. In view of this, we primarily notice two key issues. Firstly, the logistics domain can be compromised by a variety of natural or man-made activities, which eventually affect the overall network security. Secondly, there are thousands of entities in the supply chain network that use extensive machine-learning algorithms in many scenarios, and they require high-power computational resources. From these two challenges, we note that the first concern can be addressed by adding blockchain to IoT logistic networks. The second issue can be addressed using 6G. This will support 1-μs latency communications, support seamless computing at the edges of networks, and autonomously predict the best optimal location for edge computing. Motivated by this, we have highlighted motivational examples to show the necessity to integrate 6G and blockchain in smart logistic networks. Then, we have proposed a 6G and blockchain-enabled smart logistic high-level framework. We have presented the key intrinsic issues of this framework mainly from the security and resource management context. In this paper, recent state-of-the-art advances in blockchain enabled next-generation smart logistic networks are analyzed. We have also examined why 6G and not 5G would be compatible with the smart network. We have introduced five different use cases of blockchain technology in smart logistics. Later, this paper discusses some important concerns that blockchain in smart logistics might face. We have also provided potential solutions to tackle these concerns.
In wireless communication networks, traffics of base stations (BS) can be effectively offloaded by sharing the cached content between mobile devices through wireless device-to-device (D2D) communication. To encourage the content caching of D2D users, a blockchain incentive scheme is proposed; the game theory is introduced to optimize the benefits for both the edge computing server (ECS) and D2D users in the blockchain network. In Stackelberg game, D2D users act as followers. After the successful implementation of the cache strategy, D2D users are rewarded by the system, which is a new block mining process. In this process, the required computing power is provided by the ECS. Therefore, D2D cache users need to pay the cost to purchase computing power from the ECS. As the game leader, the ECS prices the computing resources, and D2D users adjust their caching strategies based on the price. In this paper, we propose four algorithms based on different pricing methods and different cache reward methods. Simulations are performed to compare the cache quality and cache content dispersion of the four algorithms. The results show that the uniform pricing scheme with a linear reward relationship is more suitable for the scenarios that require higher cache quality, and the discriminatory pricing scheme with a nonlinear reward relationship is more suitable for the scenarios that require more evenly cache content distribution.
This article investigates computation offloading in blockchain-empowered Internet of Things (IoT), where the task data uploading link from sensors to a base station (BS) is protected by intelligent reflecting surface (IRS)-assisted physical-layer security (PLS). After receiving task data, the BS allocates computational resources provided by mobile-edge computing (MEC) servers to help sensors perform tasks. Existing blockchain-based computation offloading schemes usually focus on network performance improvements, such as energy consumption minimization (ECM) or latency minimization, and neglect the Gas fee for computation offloading, resulting in the dissatisfaction of high Gas providers. Also, the secrecy rate during the data uploading process cannot be measured by a steady value because of the time-varying characteristics of IRS-based wireless channels, thereby computational resources allocation with a secrecy rate measured before data uploading is inappropriate. In this article, we design a Gas-oriented computation offloading scheme that guarantees a low degree of dissatisfaction of sensors, while reducing energy consumption. Also, we deduce the ergodic secrecy rate of IRS-assisted PLS transmission that can represent the global secrecy performance to allocate computational resources. The simulations show that the proposed scheme has lower energy consumption compared to existing schemes and ensures that the node paying higher Gas gets stronger computational resources.
Shimaa Abdelnaby AbdelHakeem, Hanan Hussein, HyungWon Kim
After implementing 5G technology, academia and industry started researching 6th generation wireless network technology (6G). 6G is expected to be implemented around the year 2030. It will offer a significant experience for everyone by enabling hyper-connectivity between people and everything. In addition, it is expected to extend mobile communication possibilities where earlier generations could not have developed. Several potential technologies are predicted to serve as the foundation of 6G networks. These include upcoming and current technologies such as post-quantum cryptography, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), enhanced edge computing, molecular communication, THz, visible light communication (VLC), and distributed ledger (DL) technologies such as blockchain. From a security and privacy perspective, these developments need a reconsideration of prior security traditional methods. New novel authentication, encryption, access control, communication, and malicious activity detection must satisfy the higher significant requirements of future networks. In addition, new security approaches are necessary to ensure trustworthiness and privacy. This paper provides insights into the critical problems and difficulties related to the security, privacy, and trust issues of 6G networks. Moreover, the standard technologies and security challenges per each technology are clarified. This paper introduces the 6G security architecture and improvements over the 5G architecture. We also introduce the security issues and challenges of the 6G physical layer. In addition, the AI/ML layers and the proposed security solution in each layer are studied. The paper summarizes the security evolution in legacy mobile networks and concludes with their security problems and the most essential 6G application services and their security requirements. Finally, this paper provides a complete discussion of 6G networks' trustworthiness and solutions.
Recently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have gained attention due to increased use-cases in healthcare, monitoring, surveillance, and logistics operations. UAVs mainly communicate with mobile base stations, ground stations (GS), or networked peer UAVs, known as UAV swarms. UAVs communicate with GS, or UAV swarms, over wireless channels to support mission-critical operations. Communication latency, bandwidth, and precision are of prime importance in such operations. With the rise of data-driven applications, fifth-generation (5G) networks would face bottlenecks to communicate at near-real-time, at low latency and improved coverage. Thus, researchers have shifted towards network designs that incorporate beyond 5G (B5G) networks for UAV designs. However, UAVs are resource-constrained, with limited power and battery, and thus centralized cloud-centric models are not suitable. Moreover, as exchanged data is through open channels, privacy and security issues exist. Federated learning (FL) allows data to be trained on local nodes, preserving privacy and improving network communication. However, sharing of local updates is required through a trusted consensus mechanism. Thus, blockchain (BC)-based FL schemes for UAVs allow trusted exchange of FL updates among UAV swarms and GS. To date, limited research has been carried out on the integration of BC and FL in UAV management. The proposed survey addresses the gap and presents a solution taxonomy of BC-based FL in UAVs for B5G networks due to the open problem. This paper presents a reference architecture and compares its potential benefits over traditional BC-based UAV networks. Open issues and challenges are discussed, with possible future directions. Finally, a logistics case study of BC-based FL-oriented UAVs in 6G networks is presented. The survey aims to aid researchers in developing potential UAV solutions with the key integrating principles over a diverse set of application verticals.
Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is a long-range low-power wireless communication network. Its features, such as wide network coverage and low power consumption of terminals, make it suitable for large-scale deployment of IoT applications. The points transfer system, especially points transfer system in LPWAN, as a typical third-party payment application, is being closely attended by both industry and academia. Recent studies have shown that distributed ledger technology, because ofits characteristics such as high confidentiality, non-tampering, and decentralization, is a good solution to problems such as low-security performance due to centralized storage for a points transfer system. However, the distributed ledger will generate a large amount of data traffic in recording the transactions of network participants, which is a challenge for resource-constrained IoT devices. To address these issues, we propose an optimized packet transmission mechanism for a ledger-based points transfer system in LPWAN. Simulation results show that our proposed mechanism can well reduce the packet transmission ofthe whole system and meet the requirements of LPWAN. Moreover, we update the reader with information about distributed ledger and standardization-related activities in this paper.
Saeed Hamood Alsamhi, Faris A. Almalki, Fatemeh Afghah, Ammar Hawbani · 7 authors
Edge Intelligence is an emerging technology which has attracted significant attention. It applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) closer to the network edge for supporting Beyond fifth Generation (B5G) needs. On the other hand, drones can be used as relay station (mobile drone edge intelligence) to gather data from smart environments. Federated Learning (FL) enables the drones to perform decentralized collaborative learning by developing local models, sharing the model parameters with neighbors and the centralized unit to improve global model accuracy in smart environments. However, drone edge intelligence faces challenges such as security and decentralization management, limiting its functions to support green smart environments. Blockchain is a promising technology that enables privacy-preserving data sharing in a distributed manner. There are several challenges that still need to be addressed in blockchain-based applications, such as scalability, energy efficiency, and transaction capacity. Motivated by the significance of FL and blockchain, this survey focuses on the synergy of FL and blockchain to enable drone edge intelligence for green sustainable environments. Moreover, we discuss the combination of FL and blockchain technological aspects, motivation, and framework for green smart environments. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities, and future trends in this domain.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) communications have recently entered a new period of interest, motivated by technological advances and the gradual emergence of the Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network (SAGIN). The current survey aims to capture the use of UAVs in the SAGIN while highlighting the most promising open research topics. The traditional UAV network architecture is not adequate to meet the challenges presented by the SAGIN, and an effective and secure space-air-ground integrated UAV network needs to be constructed. Given its well-distributed management and consensus mechanism, blockchain technology can make up for the deficiency of the traditional UAV network. In this work, we review the role of UAVs in the SAGIN. Then, three applications of the blockchain-envisioned UAV network are introduced through several classifications. Future challenges and the corresponding open research topics are also described.
Evolution of the cellular network has created many new capabilities that were previously unavailable in the legacy standards. High throughput and low latency communications are the hallmark of the new 5G-NR standard. Caching at the D2D layer in 5G presents tremendous opportunity for further enhancement of the 5G standard and could be the driving factor behind new set of verticals to be offered and made available over 5G and Beyond 5G (B5G) networks.Smart contracts, applications deployed on a distributed blockchain, similarly provide a huge range of novel opportunities in programming and managing a distributed network system while maintaining security. Since D2D communications are fundamentally limited by their localized communication, a smart contract based approach is presented here to open up the D2D layers in B5G networks to any content provider or network operator participating in the shared blockchain network. In this work, three different priority models are evaluated for performance with respect to caching decisions driven by a genetic algorithm based search for decision optimality. Findings suggest that integration of a priority scheme with a smart contract enforced caching at D2D layer significantly influences the Radio Access Network (RAN) performance in terms of the cost and delay for proposed D2D wireless network.
To support more Internet-of-Things devices, we present a novel blockchain-enabled heterogeneous cellular network (HetNet). In this network, devices store block data to the cloud service provider, offload the proof-of-work mining tasks to base stations (BSs), and associate with the macrocell BS or small-cell BSs. Then, we analyze the user association problem, computation offloading problem, and block storage problem in the blockchain-enabled HetNet. We also design corresponding algorithms to solve these problems. Furthermore, to tackle the challenge of data congestion of BSs, based on the obtained computation offloading and block storage strategies, we propose a modified user association algorithm. The analysis shows that the proposed blockchain-enabled HetNet can effectively attain computing offloading, block storage, and user association strategies, and more devices can access the blockchain network. Analytical results show that the proposed modified user association algorithm can greatly avoid data congestion of BSs. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms for computation offloading and block storage, and the proposed modified user association algorithm has a significantly great advantage compared with the traditional nearest BS association algorithm in terms of avoiding data congestion.
Blockchain radio access network (B-RAN) is a decentralized, trustworthy wireless networking paradigm spurred by distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). In B-RAN, even though the blockchain builds trust in upper layers, the absence of trust between client devices still causes the problem with open access, or the so-called Rogue’s dilemma, and degrades the network performance. Therefore, Hash Access was proposed for B-RAN to address the trust issue between clients and enforce client devices to obey the grant-free access rule. However, the characteristics and performance of Hash Access in B-RAN remain unclear. In this work, we dive deep into the Rogue’s dilemma from a game-theoretic model to emphasize the necessity of Hash Access. We establish an analytical model to comprehensively evaluate the performance of B-RAN using Hash Access regarding transmission success probability, access delay, and network throughput. Based on the analytical model, we further optimize the Hash Access protocol for network throughput and provide useful practical guidelines. Simulation results are presented to validate our proposed model and insights.
The rapidly growing number of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices poses new challenges for spectrum management in future wireless communication networks. It is critical to achieve efficient and dynamic spectrum management in the sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication networks era. To tackle the challenges of managing a large-scale IoT network with heterogeneous devices, we propose a directed acyclic graph (DAG) blockchain-enhanced user-autonomy spectrum sharing model. As the proposed consensus rule is closely related to system utility, the swarm intelligence of users gradually reaches the point of convergence in the process of blockchain consensus. We analyze the effect of the tip selection method of the DAG blockchain on spectrum allocation utility. A dynamic tip selection method is proposed to enhance the global utility, which is related to the spectrum supply–demand. In addition, the ring signature technique is utilized to realize privacy protection during the sharing process. Simulation indicates that the proposed tip selection method achieves a 10% enhancement in terms of the global utility. Furthermore, significant reductions in administrative expense and reliability improvement are demonstrated by simulation results. The stability of the tip number in the proposed model has been proved theoretically, which is also validated by simulation experiments.
The Ubiquitous IoT (UIoT) is a three-dimensional network that spans space-air-ground. It contains multiple network elements such as satellites, terrestrial cellular networks, terrestrial gateways, and data centers. Due to the need for openness and sharing among different operators, it is necessary to research wireless spectrum sharing. The new technologies of blockchain and the 6G hybrid cloud pose a potential solution. We propose to migrate the spectrum sharing system of 6G to the hybrid blockchain. Subdividing the granularity of the spectrum resources of UIoT devices in multiple dimensions can enable reliable and secure random access to a large amount of UIoT terminal data. Cloud computing and smart contract technology can effectively ensure the interconnection of massive data and the authenticity of externally perceived data.
S. Velliangiri, Rajesh Manoharan, R. Sitharthan, Vani Rajasekar
With the global rollout of fifth-generation communication networks, the development on sixth-generation (6G) communication network has begun. The 6G technology is an emerging technology that will meet the ever-increasing demands of evolving industrial services and applications. This technology consists of varied number of heterogeneous resources and communication protocols to guarantee the seamless access to the services. Because of its heterogeneous nature and authorization delegation, security is a major concern in 6G communication environment. The emerging blockchain technology can able to solve the aforementioned privacy and security challenges. The blockchain technique also offers enhanced services like openness, decentralization, immutability, trust free, and so on. Motivated by the aforementioned facts, this article proposes a novel idea of integration of privacy preserving blockchain framework with 6G communication network. We also propose an integrated system for blockchain radio access network as a reliable and stable model for 6G networking based on blockchain technology with improved efficiency and protection. Furthermore, the critical components of blockchain such as smart contract, consensus protocol, mathematical model, secure data sharing, and auditing are clearly defined and experimental results are analyzed.
This article reviews the 6G global landscape and the most relevant private and public initiatives, with US$ billions of investments in next generation information and communication (ICT) systems and application services. Then, it presents the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology roadmap towards 6G and 5G New Radio (NR) releases. This is followed by an introduction to the latest shift in paradigm “from Internet of Things (IoT) to Internet of Intelligence (IoI)”, which paves the way towards 6G wireless. The new system is anticipated to provide pervasive connectivity to functions with the ability to represent knowledge, process knowledge, and make decisions, with or without human intervention. Beyond that, the paper discusses the new carrier frequency bands above 110 GHz; and innovative fundamental enabling technologies, such as integrated semantic communication and sensing, low earth orbiting satellites, quantum key distribution, post quantum cryptography, and distributed ledger technology; and portrays a network vision for 6G wireless, looking to 2030 and beyond. Conclusions are drawn on 6G prospects, the needs of security by design for 6G; as well as the potential of 6G for securely connecting pervasive intelligence and preserving privacy; and new research directions to cater for new use categories and requirements.
Even though the wireless network of 5G has not been investigated exhaustively, the sixth generation (6G) echo systems’ visionaries are already being debated. Therefore, to solidify and consolidate privacy and security within 6G networks, this paper examines edge computing and its convergence with blockchain in 6G: security challenges. Moreover, the paper examines how security might affect the wireless systems of the 6G, potential obstacles characterizing various 6G technologies, alongside possible remedies. This paper unveils the 6G security vision alongside key indicators of performance with tentative landscape threat premised upon predicted sixth generation infrastructure. Furthermore, a discussion of the privacy and security challenges that might emerge from the existing sixth generation applications and demands is presented. Additionally, the paper sheds light into the research-level projects and standardization efforts. Specific attention is accorded to discussion on the security consideration with 6G enhancing technologies, including quantum computing, visible light communication (VLC), distributed ML/AI, physical layer security, and distributed ledger technology (DLT). Overall, this paper seeks to guide the subsequent investigation of sixth generation privacy and security in the early stage of envisioning to practicality.
The innovation provided by network virtualization in 5G, together with standardization and openness boosted by the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Alliance, has paved the way to a collaborative future in cellular systems, driven by flexible network sharing. Such advents are expected to attract new players like content providers and verticals, increasing competitiveness in the telecom market. However, scalability and trust issues are expected to arise, given the criticality of ownership traceability and resource exchanging in a sharing ecosystem. To address that, we propose integrating blockchain technology for enabling mobile operators and other players to exchange radio access network (RAN) resources (e.g., infrastructure) in the form of virtual network functions autonomously and dynamically. Blockchain will provide automation, robustness, trustworthiness, and reliability to mobile networks, thus bringing confidence to open RAN environments. In particular, we define a novel O-RAN-based blockchain-enabled architecture that allows automating RAN sharing procedures through either auction or marketplace-based mechanisms. The potential advantages of the proposed solution are demonstrated through simulation results. The used simulation platform is openly released.