Mean Field Game Theory for Future Heterogeneous and Hierarchical Communication Networks

Abstract

According to the latest Cisco Annual Internet Report, the current communication network infrastructures are approaching their limits caused by the increasing data traffic, more frequent network usage, and rising number of connected devices. In order to overcome these limitations, enabling technologies such as ultra-dense networks, multi-access edge networks, and massive antenna arrays are proposed as part of the future generation of communication networks. However, in order to analyze, model, and simulate these technologies, an appropriate mathematical framework that can handle large number of interacting entities is necessary. Hence, the application of mean field games (MFGs) to future communication networks is proposed in this dissertation. The first work of this dissertation deals with the modeling of user behavior through belief and opinion evolution in social networks, which is essential in improving the services provided by a network provider. A multiple-population MFG approach is applied to depict the behavior of social network users in a multiple-group setting. Theoretical and experimental simulations using a social evolution dataset suggest the effectiveness of the MFG approach in estimating and predicting the distribution of belief and opinion in social networks. The second work of this dissertation investigates an effective and efficient method for computation offloading in multi-access edge computing networks (MECN). A mean-field-type game (MFTG) approach is utilized to design non-cooperative and cooperative computation offloading algorithms to decrease latency and energy consumption. The results indicate that the proposed MFTG-based algorithms can optimize energy consumption and latency associated with computation offloading. Then, the third work of this dissertation presents a proposed dynamic hierarchical framework for resource allocation in network virtualization. Lastly, this dissertation is concluded with a summary of important results and remarks. Furthermore, future works integrating MFG in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks, network virtualization, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) are proposed.