Every Call is Precious: Global Optimization of Black-Box Functions with Unknown Lipschitz Constants

Optimizing expensive, non-convex, black-box Lipschitz continuous functions presents significant challenges, particularly when the Lipschitz constant of the underlying function is unknown. Such problems often demand numerous function evaluations to approximate the global optimum, which can be prohibitive in terms of time, energy, or resources. In this work, we introduce Every Call is Precious (ECP), a novel global optimization algorithm that minimizes unpromising evaluations by strategically focusing on potentially optimal regions. Unlike previous approaches, ECP eliminates the need to estimate the Lipschitz constant, thereby avoiding additional function evaluations. ECP guarantees no-regret performance for infinite evaluation budgets and achieves minimax-optimal regret bounds within finite budgets. Extensive ablation studies validate the algorithm's robustness, while empirical evaluations show that ECP outperforms 10 benchmark algorithms including Lipschitz, Bayesian, bandits, and evolutionary methods across 30 multi-dimensional non-convex synthetic and real-world optimization problems, which positions ECP as a competitive approach for global optimization.

Asymptotic Analysis of One-bit Quantized Box-Constrained Precoding in Large-Scale Multi-User Systems

This paper addresses the design of multi-antenna precoding strategies, considering hardware limitations such as low-resolution digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which necessitate the quantization of transmitted signals. The typical approach starts with optimizing a precoder, followed by a quantization step to meet hardware requirements. This study analyzes the performance of a quantization scheme applied to the box-constrained regularized zero-forcing (RZF) precoder in the asymptotic regime, where the number of antennas and users grows proportionally. The box constraint, initially designed to cope with low-dynamic range amplifiers, is used here to control quantization noise rather than for amplifier compatibility. A significant challenge in analyzing the quantized precoder is that the input to the quantization operation does not follow a Gaussian distribution, making traditional methods such as Bussgang's decomposition unsuitable. To overcome this, the paper extends the Gordon's inequality and introduces a novel Gaussian Min-Max Theorem to model the distribution of the channel-distorted precoded signal. The analysis derives the tight lower bound for the signal-to-distortion-plus-noise ratio (SDNR) and the bit error rate (BER), showing that optimal tuning of the amplitude constraint improves performance.

Experimental Outdoor Performance Evaluation of TVWS Narrowband Data Communication using SDR Platform

Large-scale deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) networks in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band leads to spectrum congestion and requires multiple gateways to cover wide areas. This will increase cost, complexity, and energy consumption. TV White Spaces (TVWS) provides an abundant spectrum that is sufficient for low data rate IoT applications. This low-frequency band offers coverage over larger areas due to the ability of wireless signals to penetrate obstacles and terrain. In this paper, we examine the performance of narrowband data communications in TVWS through an outdoor experiment in a suburban area with line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation scenarios. We implement a software-defined radio (SDR) testbed and develop a GNU radio benchmark tool to perform outdoor experiments for TVWS narrowband data communication between a gateway and wireless nodes at various locations. The results reveal that the system can achieve a throughput of up to 97 Kbps with a packet error rate (PER) and packet loss rate (PLR) under 1% over NLOS paths, making it suitable for low-data rate applications. This work offers valuable insights for designing the physical layer of narrowband white space devices (WSDs). The developed benchmark tool will also greatly assist other researchers in evaluating the performance of SDR-based communication systems.

Age and Power Minimization via Meta-Deep Reinforcement Learning in UAV Networks

Age-of-information (AoI) and transmission power are crucial performance metrics in low energy wireless networks, where information freshness is of paramount importance. This study examines a power-limited internet of things (IoT) network supported by a flying unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) that collects data. Our aim is to optimize the UAV flight trajectory and scheduling policy to minimize a varying AoI and transmission power combination. To tackle this variation, this paper proposes a meta-deep reinforcement learning (RL) approach that integrates deep Q-networks (DQNs) with model-agnostic meta-learning (MAML). DQNs determine optimal UAV decisions, while MAML enables scalability across varying objective functions. Numerical results indicate that the proposed algorithm converges faster and adapts to new objectives more effectively than traditional deep RL methods, achieving minimal AoI and transmission power overall.

Design of Frequency Index Modulated Waveforms for Integrated SAR and Communication on High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs)

This paper, addressing the integration requirements of radar imaging and communication for High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPs) platforms, designs a waveform based on linear frequency modulated (LFM) frequency-hopping signals that combines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and communication functionalities. Specifically, each pulse of an LFM signal is segmented into multiple parts, forming a sequence of sub-pulses. Each sub-pulse can adopt a different carrier frequency, leading to frequency hops between sub-pulses. This design is termed frequency index modulation (FIM), enabling the embedding of communication information into different carrier frequencies for transmission. To further enhance the data transmission rate at the communication end, this paper incorporates quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) into waveform design. %For the SAR portion, this approach reduces the ADC sampling requirements while maintaining range resolution. The paper derives the ambiguity function of the proposed waveform and analyzes its Doppler and range resolution, establishing upper and lower bounds for the range resolution. In processing SAR signals, the receiver first removes QAM symbols, and to address phase discontinuities between sub-pulses, a phase compensation algorithm is proposed to achieve coherent processing. For the communication receiver, the user first performs de-chirp processing and then demodulates QAM symbols and FIM index symbols using a two-step maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm. Numerical simulations further confirm the theoretical validity of the proposed approach.

Communications over Unlicensed sub-8 GHz Spectrum: Opportunities and Challenges

The utilization of unlicensed spectrum presents a promising solution to the issue of spectrum scarcity in densely populated areas, while also offering a cost-effective means to connect underserved regions. In response to this potential, both academia and industry are actively exploring innovative applications of unlicensed spectrum. This work offers a thorough overview of unlicensed spectrum bands below 8 GHz, including TV White Spaces, Civil Broadband Radio Services, Industrial Scientific Medical bands, and the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure. The paper focuses on three key aspects: regulations, existing technologies, and applications. It is essential to recognize that "unlicensed" does not equate to "unregulated"; therefore, a clear understanding of permissible and prohibited activities is crucial. From a technological perspective, we examine the current technologies, their capabilities, and relevant applications. Additionally, the shared nature of this spectrum introduces challenges related to interference among users. These collisions can be managed through two primary strategies, that we described: a database-driven approach and coexistence mechanisms at the MAC and PHY layers. This work may serve as a starting point for those who are interested in the unlicensed spectrum, both in academia and industry.

MetaGraphLoc: A Graph-based Meta-learning Scheme for Indoor Localization via Sensor Fusion

Accurate indoor localization remains challenging due to variations in wireless signal environments and limited data availability. This paper introduces MetaGraphLoc, a novel system leveraging sensor fusion, graph neural networks (GNNs), and meta-learning to overcome these limitations. MetaGraphLoc integrates received signal strength indicator measurements with inertial measurement unit data to enhance localization accuracy. Our proposed GNN architecture, featuring dynamic edge construction (DEC), captures the spatial relationships between access points and underlying data patterns. MetaGraphLoc employs a meta-learning framework to adapt the GNN model to new environments with minimal data collection, significantly reducing calibration efforts. Extensive evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of MetaGraphLoc. Data fusion reduces localization error by 15.92%, underscoring its importance. The GNN with DEC outperforms traditional deep neural networks by up to 30.89%, considering accuracy. Furthermore, the meta-learning approach enables efficient adaptation to new environments, minimizing data collection requirements. These advancements position MetaGraphLoc as a promising solution for indoor localization, paving the way for improved navigation and location-based services in the ever-evolving Internet of Things networks.

Universal Scanning GUI Tool for Available and Usable TV White Space (TVWS) Spectrum

In this era of advanced communication technologies, many remote rural and hard-to-reach areas still lack Internet access due to technological, geographical, and economic challenges. The TV white space (TVWS) technology has proven to be effective and feasible in connecting these areas to Internet service in many parts of the world. The TVWS-based systems operate based on geolocation white space databases (WSDB) to protect the primary systems from harmful interference and thus there is a critical need to know the available and usable channels that can be used by the secondary white space devices (WSDs) in a specific geographic area. In this work, we developed a generalized and flexible graphical user interface (GUI) tool to evaluate the availability and usability of the TVWS channels and their noise levels at each geographic location within the analyzed area. The developed tool has many features and capabilities such as allowing the users to scan the TVWS spectrum for any geographic area in the world and any frequency band in the TVWS spectrum. Moreover, it allows the user to apply widely used terrain-based radio propagation models. It provides the flexibility to import the elevation terrain profile of any region with the desired spatial accuracy and resolution. In addition, various system parameters including those related to regulation rules can be modified in the tool. This tool exports to an external dataset file the output data of the available and usable TVWS channels and their noise levels and it also visualizes these data interactively.

TinyML NLP Approach for Semantic Wireless Sentiment Classification

Natural Language Processing (NLP) operations, such as semantic sentiment analysis and text synthesis, may often impair users' privacy and demand significant on device computational resources. Centralized learning (CL) on the edge offers an alternative energy-efficient approach, yet requires the collection of raw information, which affects the user's privacy. While Federated learning (FL) preserves privacy, it requires high computational energy on board tiny user devices. We introduce split learning (SL) as an energy-efficient alternative, privacy-preserving tiny machine learning (TinyML) scheme and compare it to FL and CL in the presence of Rayleigh fading and additive noise. Our results show that SL reduces processing power and CO2 emissions while maintaining high accuracy, whereas FL offers a balanced compromise between efficiency and privacy. Hence, this study provides insights into deploying energy-efficient, privacy-preserving NLP models on edge devices.

Performance of a Threshold-based WDM and ACM for FSO Communication between Mobile Platforms in Maritime Environments

In this study, we statistically analyze the performance of a threshold-based multiple optical signal selection scheme (TMOS) for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and adaptive coded modulation (ACM) using free space optical (FSO) communication between mobile platforms in maritime environments with fog and 3D pointing errors. Specifically, we derive a new closed-form expression for a composite probability density function (PDF) that is more appropriate for applying various algorithms to FSO systems under the combined effects of fog and pointing errors. We then analyze the outage probability, average spectral efficiency (ASE), and bit error rate (BER) performance of the conventional detection techniques (i.e., heterodyne and intensity modulation/direct detection). The derived analytical results were cross-verified using Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that we can obtain a higher ASE performance by applying TMOS-based WDM and ACM and that the probability of the beam being detected in the photodetector increased at a low signal-to-noise ratio, contrary to conventional performance. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that applying WDM and ACM is suitable, particularly in maritime environments where channel conditions frequently change.