Enabling Beyond-5G Industrial IoT through Intelligent Networking in Unlicensed Spectrum

EPSRC：George Frangulea：EP/T518141/1使用5G在未经许可的频谱中运行(NR-U)作为工业物联网(IIoT)/工业4.0服务(例如智能电网、工厂自动化和联网医院等)的使能器，是目前学术界和产业界都非常感兴趣的研究领域(诺基亚和高通等供应商和Orange等运营商积极参与了这一领域的研究)。拟议项目的目的是通过使用物理层消息和通过频谱扫描收集的数据提供的情报，提高NR-U的可靠性和频谱利用率，并将延迟降至最低。这种类型的智能将通过使用强化学习(RL-一种机器学习算法)来实现。RL算法将利用频率信道接入过程中的波束成形(在特定方向上形成无线电波束的过程)技术来增强空间重用(多个设备同时通信，使用相同的时间/频率资源)，并克服诸如网络内隐藏和暴露的节点等问题。该系统的总体目标将是确保满足IIoT/Industry 4.0服务的严格延迟和可靠性要求，确保与其他无线技术无缝共存，并使同一网络内不同优先级别的服务能够无缝共存(这是满足Industry 4.0/IIoT服务质量要求的关键一步)。

EPSRC : George Frangulea : EP/T518141/1The use of 5G operating in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) as an enabler for industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)/Industry 4.0 services (e.g., smart power grids, factory automation and connected hospital etc.), is a research area currently generating significant interest from both academia and industry (with vendors such as Nokia and Qualcomm and operators such as Orange actively engaged in this area). The purpose of the proposed project is to enhance reliability and spectrum utilisation and minimize latency in NR-U, by using intelligence informed by physical layer messages and data gathered through spectrum scanning. This type of intelligence will be achieved through the use of reinforcement learning (RL-a type of machine learning algorithm). The RL algorithm will leverage beamforming (a process by which a radio beam is formed in a particular direction) techniques within the frequency channel access procedure to enhance spatial-reuse (multiple devices communicating concurrently, using the same time/frequency resources), and overcome problems such as hidden and exposed nodes within the network. The overarching target of the system will be to ensure that stringent latency and reliability requirements of IIoT/Industry 4.0 services are met, to ensure the seamless coexistence with other wireless technologies and enable the seamless coexistence of services at different priority levels, within the same network (a critical step forward in meeting Industry 4.0 / IIoT quality-of-service requirements).