IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society最新文献

{"title":"Real-Time Mobile Crowd Sensing Model for Remote Detection of Flying UAVs","authors":"Ashfaq Ahmed;Ruba Alkadi;Kais Belwafi;Mohammad Atrouz;Abdulhadi Shoufan","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3525483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2025.3525483","url":null,"abstract":"Conformance monitoring is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). It aims to alert relevant parties to any deviations from authorized flight plans. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandates conformance monitoring and suggests integrating it into UAV traffic management (UTM) systems. Although traditional monitoring systems, such as wireless sensor networks, can serve this purpose, the associated expenses for installation and maintenance make them impractical for large-scale implementations. To tackle this challenge, we propose a monitoring system that capitalizes on UAV remote identification (RID) technology and mobile crowd sensing. RID is becoming a global regulatory requirement. It enables ground observers to identify drones using standard mobile devices. Our solution collects RID data by gathering reports from these observers to assess UAV operations in real-time. A significant component of this approach is determining the optimal number of reports that should be considered to allow reliable and quick evaluation. While processing more reports can enhance the evaluation accuracy, it increases the computational demands and may compromise the system’s real-time performance. Moreover, in a reward-based system, processing more reports incurs higher costs. Therefore, our system uses a mechanism that adjusts the number of received and processed reports based on airspace conditions and the crowd density in the area of interest. In addition, our approach incorporates signal quality metrics - path loss, shadowing, and received signal strength (RSS) - along with distance considerations in the activation process of ground observers for RID message forwarding. This comprehensive consideration of both signal integrity and spatial proximity significantly improves detection and monitoring precision of the UAVs. We validated the proposed model through Monte Carlo simulations. Results indicate that, compared to a naive model, our approach outperforms in terms of received RIDs, paid rewards, and real-time performance.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"1103-1128"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10820970","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143430443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PRIDA-ME: A Privacy-Preserving, Interoperable and Decentralized Authentication Scheme for Metaverse Environment","authors":"Mehmood Ul Hassan;Yawar Abbas Bangash;Waseem Iqbal;Abdellah Chehri;Javed Iqbal","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523518","url":null,"abstract":"The metaverse is a new virtual world that has the potential to significantly impact our interactions with digital content and with each other. It is a shared virtual environment where users can seamlessly and with immersive experiences create, interact, and enjoy digital assets. Nevertheless, the metaverse also poses fundamental challenges, particularly about security and privacy concerns, that require careful consideration. One of the most daunting aspects of securing the metaverse is authentication. Several solutions have been proposed, including deployment of blockchain technology and smart contracts, to address these authentication challenges. While these methods provide a secure and tamper-proof authentication mechanism, they fail to meet certain critical security and privacy requirements like interoperability and decentralization. This research proposes an enhanced privacy-preserving authentication scheme based on blockchain, elliptic curve cryptography, biohashing, and a physical unclonable function that guards against various attacks. The proposed scheme does not rely on a single central authority and consists of various phases, including user and avatar authentication, password change, and avatar generation phases. The proposed scheme underwent security assessment using the Burrows Abadi Needham (BAN) logic, ProVerif tool, and Scyther tool. The results demonstrate that it provides a better level of security against a wide range of attack vectors. The proposed scheme offers a swift and efficient authentication mechanism that adheres to the requirements of the metaverse environment, such as interoperability, decentralization, and privacy protection, and requires less computation cost as compared to state-of-the-art schemes.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"493-515"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10819498","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concept Drift Aware Wireless Key Generation in Dynamic LiFi Networks","authors":"Elmahedi Mahalal;Eslam Hasan;Muhammad Ismail;Zi-Yang Wu;Mostafa M. Fouda;Zubair Md Fadlullah;Nei Kato","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3524497","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3524497","url":null,"abstract":"This paper studies the generation of cryptographic keys from wireless channels in light-fidelity (LiFi) networks. Unlike existing studies, we account for several practical considerations (a) realistic indoor multi-user mobility scenarios, (b) non-ideal channel reciprocity given the unique characteristics of the downlink visible light (VL) and uplink infrared (IR) channels, (c) different room occupancy levels, (d) different room layouts, and (e) different receivers’ field-of-view (FoV). Since general channel models in dynamic LiFi networks are inaccurate, we propose a novel deep learning-based framework to generate secret keys with minimal key disagreement rate (KDR) and maximal key generation rate (KGR). However, we find that wireless channels in LiFi networks exhibit different statistical behaviors under various conditions, leading to concept drift in the deep learning model. As a result, key generation suffers from (a) a deterioration in KDR and KGR up to 29% and 38%, respectively, and (b) failing the NIST randomness test. To enable a concept drift aware framework, we propose an adaptive learning strategy using the similarity of channel probability density functions and the mix-of-experts ensemble method. Results show our adaptive learning strategy can achieve stable performance that passes the NIST randomness test and achieves 8% KDR and 89 bits/s KGR for a case of study with 60° FoV.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"742-758"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10818749","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143184269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iterative Syndrome-Based Deep Neural Network Decoding","authors":"Dmitry Artemasov;Kirill Andreev;Pavel Rybin;Alexey Frolov","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3524429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3524429","url":null,"abstract":"While the application of deep neural networks (DNNs) for channel decoding is a well-researched topic, most studies focus on hard output decoding, potentially restricting the practical application of such decoders in real communication systems. Modern receivers require iterative decoders, a pivotal criterion for which is the ability to produce soft output. In this paper, we focus on this property. We begin by modifying the syndrome-based DNN-decoding approach proposed by Bennatan et al. (2018). The DNN model is trained to provide soft output and replicate the maximum a posteriori probability decoder. To assess the quality of the proposed decoder’s soft output, we examine the iterative decoding method, specifically the turbo product code (TPC) with extended BCH (eBCH) codes as its component codes. A sequential training procedure for optimizing the behavior of component decoders is utilized. We illustrate that the described approach achieves exceptional performance results and is applicable for iterative codes with larger code lengths <inline-formula> <tex-math>$[n=4096, k=2025]$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, compared to state-of-the-art DNN-based methods. Finally, we address the issues of computational complexity and memory requirements of DNN-based decoding by analyzing the model’s compression limits through pruning and matrix decomposition methods.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"629-641"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10818780","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142993592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-Throughput Adaptive Co-Channel Interference Cancellation for Edge Devices Using Depthwise Separable Convolutions, Quantization, and Pruning","authors":"Mostafa Naseri;Eli De Poorter;Ingrid Moerman;H. Vincent Poor;Adnan Shahid","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523797","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523797","url":null,"abstract":"Co-channel interference cancellation (CCI) is the process used to reduce interference from other signals using the same frequency channel, thereby enhancing the performance of wireless communication systems. An improvement to this approach is adaptive CCI, which reduces interference without relying on prior knowledge of the interfering signal characteristics. Recent work suggested using machine learning (ML) models for this purpose, but high-throughput ML solutions are still lacking, especially for edge devices with limited resources. This work explores the adaptation of U-Net Convolutional Neural Network models for high-throughput adaptive source separation. Our approach is established on architectural modifications, notably through quantization and the incorporation of depthwise separable convolution, to achieve a balance between computational efficiency and performance. Our results demonstrate that the proposed models achieve superior MSE scores when removing unknown interference sources from the signals while maintaining significantly lower computational complexity compared to baseline models. One of our proposed models is deeper and fully convolutional, while the other is shallower with a convolutional structure incorporating an LSTM. Depthwise separable convolution and quantization further reduce the memory footprint and computational demands, albeit with some performance tradeoffs. Specifically, applying depthwise separable convolutions to the model with the LSTM results in only a 0.72% degradation in MSE score while reducing MACs by 58.66%. For the fully convolutional model, we observe a 0.63% improvement in MSE score with even 61.10% fewer MACs. Additionally, the models exhibit excellent scalability on GPUs, with the fully convolutional model achieving the highest symbol rates (up to 800<inline-formula> <tex-math>$times$ </tex-math></inline-formula>103 symbol per second) at larger batch sizes. Overall, our findings underscore the feasibility of using optimized machine-learning models for interference cancellation in devices with limited resources.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"656-670"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10817537","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142993669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Novel Approach to Approximating Generalized Pointing Errors Modeled by Beckmann Distribution in FSO Communication Systems","authors":"Emna Zedini;Yalçin Ata;Abla Kammoun;Mohamed-Slim Alouini","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523304","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, we introduce a new and accurate approximation for the Beckmann distribution, a widely employed model for describing generalized pointing errors in the context of free-space optical (FSO) communication systems. More specifically, this four-parameter distribution, which considers distinct jitter variances along horizontal and vertical displacements and accounts for nonzero boresight errors at the receiver, is approximated using a Gamma distribution with shape and scale parameters. By applying this approximation to the generalized pointing error model and incorporating angle-of-arrival (AOA) variations, we present novel analytical equations for the cumulative distribution function and the probability density function of the composite Gamma-Gamma turbulence channel. These unified formulations are applicable to intensity modulation with direct detection and heterodyne detection methods, and are expressed using the generalized Meijer's-G function. Utilizing these results, we provide expressions for the moments, the ergodic capacity, the average bit-error rate for several modulations, and the outage probability. Additionally, employing a moments-based approach, we derive a highly accurate asymptotic approximation for the ergodic capacity for high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes using simple functions. All analytical expressions are validated using Monte-Carlo simulations.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"727-741"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10816714","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143184267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hybrid Blockchain-Based Multi-Operator Resource Sharing and SLA Management","authors":"Sidra Tul Muntaha;Qasim Z. Ahmed;Faheem A. Khan;Zaharias D. Zaharis;Pavlos I. Lazaridis","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523362","url":null,"abstract":"We propose a hybrid blockchain-based framework for multi-operator resource sharing and SLA management in 5G Standalone (5GSA) networks. Leveraging Hyperledger Fabric (HLF), we implement secure resource sharing between multiple seller Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and a single buyer MNO, evaluating HLF’s performance in terms of transaction latency and throughput. The framework incorporates a two-level Multi-Leader Single-Follower (MLSF) Stackelberg game to model pricing and buying strategies. For the upper-layer game, we determine the pricing strategies of seller MNOs using Pattern Search Algorithm (PSA), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Fmincon, comparing their performances. In the lower-layer game, we design a Lagrange multiplier-based solution for the buyer MNO’s strategy, benchmarking it against PSA, GA, and Fmincon. Our framework also employs smart contracts for SLA automation and enforcement, utilizing Ethereum and IOTA-EVM blockchains. These contracts are implemented with Hardhat and deployed across Goerli, Linea-Goerli, Sepolia, Polygon (Mumbai), and Shimmer EVM Testnets. We measure key metrics, such as transaction latency and throughput, to evaluate the performance of our SLA management system. Results demonstrate the framework’s effectiveness in enhancing resource allocation and SLA enforcement in 5G networks, highlighting the capabilities of different blockchain platforms in managing complex network operations.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"362-377"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10816675","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mobile Cell-Free Massive MIMO: A Practical O-RAN-Based Approach","authors":"Robbert Beerten;Vida Ranjbar;K Andrea P. Guevara;Sofie Pollin","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3523217","url":null,"abstract":"Cell-Free Massive MIMO is a promising solution for next-generation radio access networks. Especially the user-centric variant, where users are served by a subset of access points, a cluster, has garnered significant interest. However, managing these clusters in case of user mobility remains a significant issue. Additionally, the practical implementation of such a network remains an open problem. This work introduces a realistic temporal channel model for Cell-Free Massive MIMO. Subsequently, we propose a framework to facilitate handover procedures in a distributed topology considering limited channel knowledge for cluster formation. Next, we develop two clustering and handover strategies: 1) a fixed clustering strategy where the central processing unit computes the ideal cluster when a cluster handover threshold is exceeded and 2) an opportunistic strategy where access points make autonomous decisions based on the local channel. Finally, we establish a significant connection between our findings and O-RAN, an emerging network architecture that offers open interfaces and network-wide control capabilities. Simulation results show that even low-complexity handover mechanisms can significantly improve spectral efficiency under user mobility compared to cellular networks.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"593-610"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10816506","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142993665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Time Modulated Arrays Beamforming for Non-Terrestrial Network User Terminal","authors":"Gebrehiwet Gebrekrstos Lema;Eva Lagunas;M. R. Bhavani Shankar;Joel Grotz","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3522519","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3522519","url":null,"abstract":"Though beamforming is the fundamental element of satellite communication, it incurs costs, complexity, and power consumption. In this paper, we study a Time-Modulated Array (TMA) beamforming design on the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) User Terminal (UT) to receive a signal from a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite downlink. Despite its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, conventional TMA has intrinsic gain, flexibility, and interference limitations. We compared TMA beamforming with the conventional phased array and studied a tri-state switching method to address the TMA limitations. Based on the 3GPP beam pattern, we studied the beamforming cost and complexity to achieve a viable Signal-To-Noise Plus Interference Ratio (SINR). To facilitate low-cost TMA beamforming, we first derive the Direction of Arrival (DoA) to the TMA switching parameters mapping. Subsequently, we formulate a constrained nonlinear multi-variable problem and solve it using iterative optimization based on perfect DoA. Additionally, we use an analytical approach to suppress sidelobes and unused harmonics using alternating switching. Furthermore, we develop an Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) and Adaptive Switching Parameters Control (ASPC) methods to design TMA beamforming based on a beacon signal. We compare TMA and phased array beamforming techniques, confirming the promising performance of TMA with reduced cost, complexity, and power consumption.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"271-287"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10816113","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Minimum Operation Altitude for Self-Sustainable Operation of Solar-Powered Fixed-Wing AAVs in Airborne Networks","authors":"Khadijeh Ali Mahmoodi;Mohammed Elamassie;Murat Uysal","doi":"10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3519714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCOMS.2024.3519714","url":null,"abstract":"Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) play a pivotal role in advancing 6G and beyond networks by providing global coverage for backbone infrastructure, wireless access, and backhauling. In particular, fixed-wing autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) at tropospheric altitudes are positioned as an efficient platform to provide backhauling for ground-based base stations using high-capacity point-to-point wireless links that operate at either optical or radio spectrum. These AAVs are typically solar-powered to ensure self-sustainability for extended operation durations. Higher altitudes improve energy harvesting by bringing the AAV closer to the Sun and reducing energy consumption due to lower air density. Achieving self-sustainability requires determining the minimum operational altitude at which energy harvested consistently exceeds consumption. In this paper, we derive a closed-form expression for the minimum operational altitude of solar-powered fixed-wing AAVs, ensuring a balance between harvested and consumed energy. Key factors such as geographical location, time of year, AAV mass, and solar panel efficiency are shown to significantly influence this altitude, making them critical to the system’s sustainable operation.","PeriodicalId":33803,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society","volume":"6 ","pages":"171-180"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2024-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10816023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}