Optimizing Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks Performance with Traffic-Aware Resource Management

2024-10-09

arXiv.org

AI Summary

Addressing the joint optimization of energy efficiency and quality-of-service (QoS) in integrated space–ground networks under dynamic traffic conditions, where coordinated resource management across terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN) remains challenging. Method: We propose the first traffic-aware joint optimization framework unifying four-dimensional decisions—base station activation, bandwidth allocation, user association, and power control—for TN–NTN cooperation. We innovatively identify and exploit NTN’s implicit energy-saving gains for terrestrial infrastructure and formulate the problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP). To enable real-time online scheduling, we design BLASTER, a low-complexity heuristic algorithm. Contribution/Results: Experiments demonstrate that, while strictly satisfying user QoS requirements, the proposed framework reduces total energy consumption by 37%, significantly improves resource allocation fairness, and enhances system throughput.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Search and Optimization: Mixed Discrete/Continuous Search
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Distributed CSP/Optimization

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Efficiency and scalability of Web search engines

Abstract

To address an ever-increasing demand for ubiquitous high-speed connectivity, mobile network deployments are becoming increasingly dense. However, this densification has also led to a surge in overall energy consumption, making the process increasingly challenging. In recent years, non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have been mainly endorsed as a potential solution to enhance coverage by complementing the coverage of the terrestrial network (TN) in areas with limited network deployment. However, their ability to reduce TN energy consumption, though often overlooked, remains a significant advantage. To this end, this paper introduces a novel radio resource management algorithm, BLASTER (Bandwidth SpLit, User ASsociation, and PowEr ContRol), which integrates bandwidth allocation, user equipment (UE) association, power control, and base station activation within an integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (TN-NTN). This algorithm aims to optimize network resource allocation fairness and energy consumption dynamically, demonstrating new opportunities in deploying satellite networks in legacy cellular systems. Our study offers a comprehensive analysis of the integrated network model, emphasizing the effective balance between energy saving and Quality of Service (QoS), and proposing practical solutions to meet the fluctuating traffic demands of cellular networks.

Problem

• Optimize energy consumption in dense mobile networks.
• Enhance network coverage using integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
• Balance energy saving and Quality of Service in fluctuating traffic.

Innovation

• BLASTER algorithm integrates TN-NTN resource management
• Dynamic optimization of energy and QoS balance
• Bandwidth, user association, power control integration