Boosting 5G on Smart Grid Communication: A Smart RAN Slicing Approach

Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond systems are expected to accelerate the ongoing transformation of power systems towards the smart grid. However, the inherent heterogeneity in smart grid services and requirements pose significant challenges towards the definition of a unified network architecture. In this context, radio access network (RAN) slicing emerges as a key 5G enabler to ensure interoperable connectivity and service management in the smart grid. This article introduces a novel RAN slicing framework which leverages the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support IEC 61850 smart grid services. With the aid of deep reinforcement learning, efficient radio resource management for RAN slices is attained, while conforming to the stringent performance requirements of a smart grid self-healing use case. Our research outcomes advocate the adoption of emerging AI-native approaches for RAN slicing in beyond-5G systems, and lay the foundations for differentiated service provisioning in the smart grid.

Understanding UAV-Based WPCN-Aided Capabilities for Offshore Monitoring Applications

Despite the immense progress in the recent years, efficient solutions for monitoring remote areas are still missing today. This is especially notable in the context of versatile maritime and offshore use cases, owing to a broader span of operating regions and a lack of radio network infrastructures. In this article, we address the noted challenge by delivering a conceptual solution based on the convergence of three emerging technologies -- unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battery-less sensors, and wireless powered communication networks (WPCNs). Our contribution offers a systematic description of the ecosystem related to the proposed solution by identifying its key actors and design dimensions together with the relevant resources and performance metrics. A system-level modeling-based evaluation of an illustrative scenario delivers deeper insights into the considered operation and the associated trade-offs. Further, unresolved challenges and perspective directions are underpinned for a subsequent study.