Saturday, January 6 - Half Day
TUT-01 The cooperative, connected and automated vehicle: Day-2-and-beyond services and their technologies
Room: Laughlin II, 3rd Floor
Presenter: Claudio Casetti
Abstract: In its first part, the tutorial will provide an update of ETSI standardization in the so-called Release 2 of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). This will include an analysis of the multi-channel operation concept, which has been recently published by ETSI, laying the foundation for a multi-channel, but also multi-technology and application aware implementation of C-ITS stations. In addition, the main services of Release 2 and beyond will be discussed, with reference to collective perception, vulnerable road users, and coordinated manoeuvre.
The second part of the tutorial will focus on the access technologies that are being developed to support the new services and their requirements. This will include a discussion of the main features of the IEEE 802.11bd, which is expected to be published in early 2023 to enhance the well-known IEEE 802.11p, and those of the latest cellular technologies. Concerning the latter, attention will be placed on 5G NR-V2X both in its connectivity towards the infrastructure and in the direct case, called sidelink. We will review the architecture and the protocols involved in 5G vehicular communication for both the Uu (uplink/downlink) and the PC5 (sidelink) interfaces, addressing physical layer design, resource allocation and synchronization issues. Although most of the discussion will focus on innovations covered by Release 16 and Release 17, a view on oncoming standardisation activity (Release 18) will be provided, including topics on beyond 5G deployment.
Saturday, January 6 - Half Day
TUT-02 Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing for Future Network Optimization
Room: Laughlin III, 3rd Floor
Presenters: Lei Fan, Zhu Han, Yu Wang,Yuanxiong Guo
Abstract: The scale and importance of communication networks have increased dramatically over the past few decades, and these networks are critical to the functioning of modern society. A few examples of the various applications that communications networks have developed in recent years include network functions virtualization (NFV), multi-access edge computing (MEC), augmented reality and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR), mobile AI and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), to name a few. Future networks must be capable of handling massive volumes of data, possessing large levels of bandwidth, as well as being resilient, adaptable, scalable, and reliable in order to support these application services. Scientists and engineers must construct and operate high-capacity communication networks as quickly as possible, despite the fact that they have limited resources and high service demands.
It's important to use advanced mixed-integer network resource optimization models and algorithms to meet these needs. Despite the fact that a huge number of research efforts have been devoted to solving these difficulties, it is impossible to address them efficiently using classical computers. This is owing to the problem's complex structure, which includes a significant number of integer variables. However, these computationally intensive processes can be replaced by newly emerging quantum computing techniques.
The objectives of this tutorial are to show how a hybrid quantum-classical computing framework can be used to solve problems in the future with network resources including:
1) introduce the background, theory foundation, technique challenges, and benefits of the quantum computing.
2) introduce the hybrid quantum-classical computing framework.
3) illustrate the potential applications in network communications and mobile computing.
4) educate the researchers, engineers, graduate students, and others who are interested in learning this new technique that can improve the computational performance.
This tutorial will give a detailed introduction to quantum computing and its applications in the network communication area. This tutorial first introduces the basics of quantum computing and what quantum parallelism is. Then this tutorial will present more details about the hybrid quantum-classical computing paradigm and its special case for mixed-binary linear programming problems. Third, this tutorial will discuss how the proposed network resource optimization paradigm could be used, including NFV, multi-access edge computing, fog/cloud computing, federated edge learning, and cloud radio access network (C-RAN). Finally, this tutorial gives the conclusion and discusses future work that arise when designing and implementing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms.
Saturday, January 6 - Half Day
TUT-04 6G Virtualized Edge Computing – From Vehicles to Edge and Back
Room: Laughlin II, 3rd Floor
Presenters: Falko Dressler, Onur Altintas
Abstract: As we move from 5G to 6G, edge computing is one of the concepts that needs revisiting. Its core idea is still intriguing: Instead of sending all data and tasks from an end user’s device to the cloud, possibly covering thousands of kilometers and introducing delays lower bounded by propagation speed, edge servers deployed in close proximity to the user, e.g., at some base station, serve as proxy for the cloud. This is particularly interesting for upcoming machine learning (ML)-based intelligent services, which require substantial computational and networking performance for continuous model training. Yet this promising idea is hampered by the limited number of such edge servers.
In a parallel universe, car makers have discussed challenges and opportunities of the connected cars vision in relation to the need for distributed data management solutions ranging from the vehicle to the mobile edge and to the data centers. As a new concept, vehicle micro clouds have been proposed that bridge the gap between fully distributed vehicular networks based on short range device to device communication and 5G+ based infrastructure for centralized solutions. Using selected application examples including the use of virtual traffic lights, intelligent intersection management, and platooning, we assess the needs on the underlying system components with a particular focus on inter-vehicle communication. Researchers from academia and industry met multiple times at international Dagstuhl seminars to discuss open research challenges as well as open issues related to market-oriented design.
In this tutorial, we discuss a way forward, namely the virtual edge computing (V-Edge) concept. V-Edge helps bridging the gap between cloud, edge, and fog by virtualizing all available resources including the end users’ devices and making these resources widely available. Thus, V-Edge acts as an enabler for novel microservices as well as cooperative computing solutions in next-generation networks. We introduce the general V-Edge architecture, and we characterize some of the key research challenges to overcome, to enable wide-spread and intelligent edge services.
The tutorial is supported by the paper Falko Dressler, Carla Fabiana Chiasserini, Frank H. P. Fitzek, Holger Karl, Renato Lo Cigno, Antonio Capone, Claudio Ettore Casetti, Francesco Malandrino, Vincenzo Mancuso, Florian Klingler and Gianluca A. Rizzo, "V-Edge: Virtual Edge Computing as an Enabler for Novel Microservices and Cooperative Computing," IEEE Network, vol. 36 (3), pp. 24–31, May 2022.
Saturday, January 6 - Full Day
TUT-08 The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in 6G Networks
Room: Reno, 3rd Floor
Presenter: Calvanese Strinati Emilio
Abstract: The rapid advancement of technology has given rise to a new era of connectivity with the advent of 6G networks. These next-generation networks promise unprecedented data speeds, ultra-low latency, and seamless integration of smart devices. However, the real game-changer lies in the fusion of 6G with Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionizing the way we interact with our digital ecosystem.
The tutorial delves into the cutting-edge developments of AI within the framework of 6G networks. The objective of this tutorial is to explore the symbiotic relationship between AI and 6G networks. The tutorial introduces and from the angle of AI the foundational concepts, tools, and methods in 6G for Semantic communications, goal-oriented communications, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), and Intelligent Integrated sensing and communications (I-ISAC).
Practical implementations and use cases of AI in 6G networks are also presented, demonstrating its transformative impact on real-time applications, immersive virtual experiences, and personalized services.
To this end, we present very recent results (part still unpublished), opening interactive discussion on the extraordinary opportunities that semantic, goal-oriented communications, RIS and I-ISAC assisted communications will offer to 6G systems. We conclude discussing on 6G promising avenues of research.
Saturday, January 6 - Full Day
TUT-09 Leveraging Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Systems
Room: Laughlin I, 3rd Floor
Presenter: Bhawana Rudra, Sarvesh. V. Sawant
Abstract: The combination of Blockchain and AI can together revolutionize the development of inclusive systems. Inclusive systems aim to eliminate barriers and ensure equal access and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or characteristics. Blockchain technology being a decentralized and immutable ledger, enhances transparency and trust in data management. By leveraging it, inclusive systems can provide secure and auditable records of transactions, ensuring that data remains tamper-proof and verifiable. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence can bring significant advancements to inclusive systems by enabling intelligent decision-making processes. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and make predictions, facilitating more accurate and efficient decision-making. This workshop will delve into the potential use cases of blockchain and AI in creating inclusive systems. Additionally, the workshop will address the ethical considerations associated with leveraging blockchain and AI in inclusive systems. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and collaborative exercises, participants will gain insights into the possibilities and limitations of using blockchain and AI for inclusive systems. The workshop aims to foster knowledge exchange and encourage innovative thinking to inspire participants to develop transparent and inclusive technological solutions that benefit society as a whole.
Saturday, January 6- Half Day
TUT-05 IoT Systems and Smartness – Digital Twin, Protocols, and Proof of Concept
Room: Laughlin II, 3rd Floor
Presenters: R. Venkatesha Prasad, Abdur Rahim
Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) has been making waves and is permeating into the everyday life of people. All the smart-* applications are built around IoT. The smartness and artificial intelligence in IoT are important, and that should be at the point of interest in the IoT system and framework. Similarly, digital twins—virtual replicas of physical objects/things, process, or system—bridge physical and digital worlds now possible due to connectivity/IoT. Indeed EU project iCore explored this aspect. This tutorial will empathize with the above facts and, besides, will provide an overview of IoT first and then discuss various dimensions of IoT, including the practical challenges with Proof of concept of low cost and open source IoT hardware and software platform from WAZIUP. WAZIUP developed a highly low cost, DIY, and opensource IoT solutions for start-ups, developers, and entrepreneurs. This tutorial will demo the IoT end-to-end IoT solutions. These include IoT long-range networking (LoRa), architecture framework including gateway and software platform, open horizontal platform, explaining all components from the bottom up (i.e., from the things with a focus on sensors and interconnection of the items). The open horizontal platform is being developed to solve the interoperability problem of the Internet of Things. It provides a layer of system abstractions and APIs to enable application software to interact with a diverse set of IoT resources and protocols.
This tutorial will describe some examples of data integration across different data sources that are shown in the context of user applications. And demonstrate the importance of smartness at the point of interest. Further focus on the other enabling technologies like real-world objects virtualization, cognitive and Artificial intelligence technologies, real-world knowledge proofing, objects networking, harvesting technologies, etc. The tutorial will also introduce the digital twin concept with example applications.
Tuesday, January 9 - Half Day
TUT-03 Federated Analytics: A Bridge Between Data Science and Machine Learning
Room: Reno, 3rd Floor
Presenters: Yifei Zhu, Dan Wang, Zhu Han
Abstract: With the maturity of edge computing and the large amount of data generated by IoT devices, we have witnessed an increasing number of intelligent applications in wireless networks. The growing awareness on privacy further motivates the wide study and deployment of federated learning, a collaborative distributed model training framework for predictive tasks. However, a wide range of applications, more broadly relevant to data analytics and query in communication networks, cannot be well supported by this framework. These applications usually require more complex and diverse aggregation methods, other than the simple weight aggregations, and are broadly nourished by statistics, information theory, and signal processing, other than machine learning. This tutorial aims to present the recent advances in federated analytics at the intersection of data science, communication networks, and security and privacy. In particular, it will present the definition, taxonomy, and architecture of the federated analytics techniques. It will also cover several practical and important data analytics tasks in communication networks, including federated anomaly analytics, federated frequent pattern analysis, federated distribution estimation and skewness analytics, and federated video analytics. Finally, the tutorial will present important challenges, open problems, and future directions at the intersection of FA and wireless networks.
Tuesday, January 9 - Half Day
TUT-06 Game Theory Advances Network Security
Room: Laughlin I, 3rd Floor
Presenter: Ahmed Hemida
Abstract: Game Theory provides a unique approach to understanding and enhancing network security by mathematically modeling and analyzing the strategic interactions between attackers and defenders. It has been used extensively in recent years to address a multitude of security scenarios and issues. Game Theory significantly contributes to predicting and combating potential attacks by introducing novel strategies and tactics for both defensive and offensive measures. Network defense mechanisms such as intrusion detection systems, firewall management, and resource allocations have seen marked improvements when optimized with insights derived from game theory. Simultaneously, game theory has assisted network admins in accounting for adversarial behaviors, their potential strategies, and counteractions. The application of game theory in network security aids in designing a more resilient security infrastructure by optimally allocating resources, predicting likely actions of attackers, and formulating effective defense mechanisms. In this tutorial, we cover the basics of Game Theory, then we will shed some light on how to model security problems as non-cooperative games, discuss various game models used according to the information structure of the security problem, and finally delve deep into one use case of game theory for cyber deception using honeypot allocation.
Tuesday, January 9 - Half Day
TUT-07 AI for 5G and Edge Networks
Room: Laughlin II, 3rd Floor
Presenters: Anders Lindgren, Fehmi Ben Abdesslem
Abstract: Following the success of our tutorial at CCNC 2023 with a large number of participants, this tutorial builds on that and adds new content and perspectives. The tutorial will give participants an understanding of the emergence of distributed artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methods and architectures for mobile and wireless networks and edge computing systems. It will explain both traditional digital AI methods as well as novel brain inspired neuromorphic computing methods. The tutorial will explain how AI/ML methods and architectures need to be adapted to perform well in mobile and wireless environments such as 5G networks and beyond, distributed low power networks, and similar settings. In particular, it will explore how to integrate neuromorphic computing modules into a digital cloud-to-edge continuum. The tutorial will also showcase how AI can be used to improve performance of such networks, for example through the use of AI enabled distributed edge computing systems.
Participants will understand what the state of the art in the research is, and also what the important research problems going forward are.
