Cooperative and Collaborative Multi-Task Semantic Communication for Distributed Sources

In this paper, we explore a multi-task semantic communication (SemCom) system for distributed sources, extending the existing focus on collaborative single-task execution. We build on the cooperative multi-task processing introduced in [1], which divides the encoder into a common unit (CU) and multiple specific units (SUs). While earlier studies in multi-task SemCom focused on full observation settings, our research explores a more realistic case where only distributed partial observations are available, such as in a production line monitored by multiple sensing nodes. To address this, we propose an SemCom system that supports multi-task processing through cooperation on the transmitter side via split structure and collaboration on the receiver side. We have used an information-theoretic perspective with variational approximations for our end-to-end data-driven approach. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed cooperative and collaborative multi-task (CCMT) SemCom system significantly improves task execution accuracy, particularly in complex datasets, if the noise introduced from the communication channel is not limiting the task performance too much. Our findings contribute to a more general SemCom framework capable of handling distributed sources and multiple tasks simultaneously, advancing the applicability of SemCom systems in real-world scenarios.

Throughput Requirements for RAN Functional Splits in 3D-Networks

The rapid growth of non-terrestrial communication necessitates its integration with existing terrestrial networks, as highlighted in 3GPP Releases 16 and 17. This paper analyses the concept of functional splits in 3D-Networks. To manage this complex structure effectively, the adoption of a Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture with Functional Split (FS) offers advantages in flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. RAN achieves this by disaggregating functionalities into three separate units. Analogous to the terrestrial network approach, 3GPP is extending this concept to non-terrestrial platforms as well. This work presents a general analysis of the requested Fronthaul (FH) data rate on feeder link between a non-terrestrial platform and the ground-station. Each split option is a trade-of between FH data rate and the respected complexity. Since flying nodes face more limitations regarding power consumption and complexity on board in comparison to terrestrial ones, we are investigating the split options between lower and higher physical layer.

Instantaneous Bandwidth Estimation from Level-Crossing Samples via LSTM-based Encoder-Decoder Architecture

This paper presents an approach for instantaneous bandwidth estimation from level-crossing samples using a long short-term memory (LSTM) encoder-decoder architecture. Level-crossing sampling is a nonuniform sampling technique that is particularly useful for energy-efficient acquisition of signals with sparse spectra. Especially in combination with fully analog wireless sensor nodes, level-crossing sampling offers a viable alternative to traditional sampling methods. However, due to the nonuniform distribution of samples, reconstructing the original signal is a challenging task. One promising reconstruction approach is time-warping, where the local signal spectrum is taken into account. However, this requires an accurate estimate of the instantaneous bandwidth of the signal. In this paper, we show that applying neural networks (NNs) to the problem of estimating instantaneous bandwidth from level-crossing samples can improve the overall reconstruction accuracy. We conduct a comprehensive numerical analysis of the proposed approach and compare it to an intensity-based bandwidth estimation method from literature.

Semantic Communication for Cooperative Multi-Task Processing over Wireless Networks

In this paper, we have expanded the current status of semantic communication limited to processing one task to a more general system that can handle multiple tasks concurrently. In pursuit of this, we first introduced our definition of the "semantic source", enabling the interpretation of multiple semantics based on a single observation. A semantic encoder design is then introduced, featuring the division of the encoder into a common unit and multiple specific units enabling cooperative multi-task processing. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed semantic source and the system design. Our approach employs information maximization (infomax) and end-to-end design principles.

Flexible Robust Beamforming for Multibeam Satellite Downlink using Reinforcement Learning

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-to-handheld connections herald a new era in satellite communications. Space-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) precoding is a method that mitigates interference among satellite beams, boosting spectral efficiency. While optimal SDMA precoding solutions have been proposed for ideal channel knowledge in various scenarios, addressing robust precoding with imperfect channel information has primarily been limited to simplified models. However, these models might not capture the complexity of LEO satellite applications. We use the Soft Actor-Critic (SAC) deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) method to learn robust precoding strategies without the need for explicit insights into the system conditions and imperfections. Our results show flexibility to adapt to arbitrary system configurations while performing strongly in terms of achievable rate and robustness to disruptive influences compared to analytical benchmark precoders.

Model-free Reinforcement Learning of Semantic Communication by Stochastic Policy Gradient

Motivated by the recent success of Machine Learning tools in wireless communications, the idea of semantic communication by Weaver from 1949 has gained attention. It breaks with Shannon's classic design paradigm by aiming to transmit the meaning, i.e., semantics, of a message instead of its exact version, allowing for information rate savings. In this work, we apply the Stochastic Policy Gradient (SPG) to design a semantic communication system by reinforcement learning, not requiring a known or differentiable channel model - a crucial step towards deployment in practice. Further, we motivate the use of SPG for both classic and semantic communication from the maximization of the mutual information between received and target variables. Numerical results show that our approach achieves comparable performance to a model-aware approach based on the reparametrization trick, albeit with a decreased convergence rate.

A Multi-Task Approach to Robust Deep Reinforcement Learning for Resource Allocation

With increasing complexity of modern communication systems, machine learning algorithms have become a focal point of research. However, performance demands have tightened in parallel to complexity. For some of the key applications targeted by future wireless, such as the medical field, strict and reliable performance guarantees are essential, but vanilla machine learning methods have been shown to struggle with these types of requirements. Therefore, the question is raised whether these methods can be extended to better deal with the demands imposed by such applications. In this paper, we look at a combinatorial resource allocation challenge with rare, significant events which must be handled properly. We propose to treat this as a multi-task learning problem, select two methods from this domain, Elastic Weight Consolidation and Gradient Episodic Memory, and integrate them into a vanilla actor-critic scheduler. We compare their performance in dealing with Black Swan Events with the state-of-the-art of augmenting the training data distribution and report that the multi-task approach proves highly effective.

On the Importance of Exploration for Real Life Learned Algorithms

The quality of data driven learning algorithms scales significantly with the quality of data available. One of the most straight-forward ways to generate good data is to sample or explore the data source intelligently. Smart sampling can reduce the cost of gaining samples, reduce computation cost in learning, and enable the learning algorithm to adapt to unforeseen events. In this paper, we teach three Deep Q-Networks (DQN) with different exploration strategies to solve a problem of puncturing ongoing transmissions for URLLC messages. We demonstrate the efficiency of two adaptive exploration candidates, variance-based and Maximum Entropy-based exploration, compared to the standard, simple epsilon-greedy exploration approach.

Robust Deep Reinforcement Learning Scheduling via Weight Anchoring

Questions remain on the robustness of data-driven learning methods when crossing the gap from simulation to reality. We utilize weight anchoring, a method known from continual learning, to cultivate and fixate desired behavior in Neural Networks. Weight anchoring may be used to find a solution to a learning problem that is nearby the solution of another learning problem. Thereby, learning can be carried out in optimal environments without neglecting or unlearning desired behavior. We demonstrate this approach on the example of learning mixed QoS-efficient discrete resource scheduling with infrequent priority messages. Results show that this method provides performance comparable to the state of the art of augmenting a simulation environment, alongside significantly increased robustness and steerability.

Learning Resource Scheduling with High Priority Users using Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients

Advances in mobile communication capabilities open the door for closer integration of pre-hospital and in-hospital care processes. For example, medical specialists can be enabled to guide on-site paramedics and can, in turn, be supplied with live vitals or visuals. Consolidating such performance-critical applications with the highly complex workings of mobile communications requires solutions both reliable and efficient, yet easy to integrate with existing systems. This paper explores the application of Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient~(\ddpg) methods for learning a communications resource scheduling algorithm with special regards to priority users. Unlike the popular Deep-Q-Network methods, the \ddpg is able to produce continuous-valued output. With light post-processing, the resulting scheduler is able to achieve high performance on a flexible sum-utility goal.