Untrained DNN for Channel Estimation of RIS-Assisted Multi-User OFDM System with Hardware Impairments

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is an emerging technology for improving performance in fifth-generation (5G) and beyond networks. Practically channel estimation of RIS-assisted systems is challenging due to the passive nature of the RIS. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a deep learning-based, low complexity channel estimator for the RIS-assisted multi-user single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system with hardware impairments. We propose an untrained deep neural network (DNN) based on the deep image prior (DIP) network to denoise the effective channel of the system obtained from the conventional pilot-based least-square (LS) estimation and acquire a more accurate estimation. We have shown that our proposed method has high performance in terms of accuracy and low complexity compared to conventional methods. Further, we have shown that the proposed estimator is robust to interference caused by the hardware impairments at the transceiver and RIS.

Deep Neural Network-Based Blind Multiple User Detection for Grant-free Multi-User Shared Access

Multi-user shared access (MUSA) is introduced as advanced code domain non-orthogonal complex spreading sequences to support a massive number of machine-type communications (MTC) devices. In this paper, we propose a novel deep neural network (DNN)-based multiple user detection (MUD) for grant-free MUSA systems. The DNN-based MUD model determines the structure of the sensing matrix, randomly distributed noise, and inter-device interference during the training phase of the model by several hidden nodes, neuron activation units, and a fit loss function. The thoroughly learned DNN model is capable of distinguishing the active devices of the received signal without any a priori knowledge of the device sparsity level and the channel state information. Our numerical evaluation shows that with a higher percentage of active devices, the DNN-MUD achieves a significantly increased probability of detection compared to the conventional approaches.

Deep Learning-Based Active User Detection for Grant-free SCMA Systems

Grant-free random access and uplink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) have been introduced to reduce transmission latency and signaling overhead in massive machine-type communication (mMTC). In this paper, we propose two novel group-based deep neural network active user detection (AUD) schemes for the grant-free sparse code multiple access (SCMA) system in mMTC uplink framework. The proposed AUD schemes learn the nonlinear mapping, i.e., multi-dimensional codebook structure and the channel characteristic. This is accomplished through the received signal which incorporates the sparse structure of device activity with the training dataset. Moreover, the offline pre-trained model is able to detect the active devices without any channel state information and prior knowledge of the device sparsity level. Simulation results show that with several active devices, the proposed schemes obtain more than twice the probability of detection compared to the conventional AUD schemes over the signal to noise ratio range of interest.

Deep Contextual Bandits for Fast Neighbor-Aided Initial Access in mmWave Cell-Free Networks

Access points (APs) in millimeter-wave (mmWave) and sub-THz-based user-centric (UC) networks will have sleep mode functionality. As a result of this, it becomes challenging to solve the initial access (IA) problem when the sleeping APs are activated to start serving users. In this paper, a novel deep contextual bandit (DCB) learning method is proposed to provide instant IA using information from the neighboring active APs. In the proposed approach, beam selection information from the neighboring active APs is used as an input to neural networks that act as a function approximator for the bandit algorithm. Simulations are carried out with realistic channel models generated using the Wireless Insight ray-tracing tool. The results show that the system can respond to dynamic throughput demands with negligible latency compared to the standard baseline 5G IA scheme. The proposed fast beam selection scheme can enable the network to use energy-saving sleep modes without compromising the quality of service due to inefficient IA

Elevated LiDAR based Sensing for 6G -- 3D Maps with cm Level Accuracy

One key vertical application that will be enabled by 6G is the automation of the processes with the increased use of robots. As a result, sensing and localization of the surrounding environment becomes a crucial factor for these robots to operate. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has emerged as an appropriate method of sensing due to its capability of generating detail-rich information with high accuracy. However, LiDARs are power hungry devices that generate a lot of data, and these characteristics limit their use as on-board sensors in robots. In this paper, we present a novel approach on the methodology of generating an enhanced 3D map with improved field-of-view using multiple LiDAR sensors. We utilize an inherent property of LiDAR point clouds; rings and data from the inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in the sensor for registration of the point clouds. The generated 3D map has an accuracy of 10 cm when compared to the real-world measurements. We also carry out the practical implementation of the proposed method using two LiDAR sensors. Furthermore, we develop an application to utilize the generated map where a robot navigates through the mapped environment with minimal support from the sensors on-board. The LiDARs are fixed in the infrastructure at elevated positions. Thus this is applicable to vehicular and factory scenarios. Our results further validate the idea of using multiple elevated LiDARs as a part of the infrastructure for various applications.

Deep Learning-based Power Control for Cell-Free Massive MIMO Networks

A deep learning (DL)-based power control algorithm that solves the max-min user fairness problem in a cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is proposed. Max-min rate optimization problem in a cell-free massive MIMO uplink setup is formulated, where user power allocations are optimized in order to maximize the minimum user rate. Instead of modeling the problem using mathematical optimization theory, and solving it with iterative algorithms, our proposed solution approach is using DL. Specifically, we model a deep neural network (DNN) and train it in an unsupervised manner to learn the optimum user power allocations which maximize the minimum user rate. This novel unsupervised learning-based approach does not require optimal power allocations to be known during model training as in previously used supervised learning techniques, hence it has a simpler and flexible model training stage. Numerical results show that the proposed DNN achieves a performance-complexity trade-off with around 400 times faster implementation and comparable performance to the optimization-based algorithm. An online learning stage is also introduced, which results in near-optimal performance with 4-6 times faster processing.

Event-Driven Source Traffic Prediction in Machine-Type Communications Using LSTM Networks

Source traffic prediction is one of the main challenges of enabling predictive resource allocation in machine type communications (MTC). In this paper, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) based deep learning approach is proposed for event-driven source traffic prediction. The source traffic prediction problem can be formulated as a sequence generation task where the main focus is predicting the transmission states of machine-type devices (MTDs) based on their past transmission data. This is done by restructuring the transmission data in a way that the LSTM network can identify the causal relationship between the devices. Knowledge of such a causal relationship can enable event-driven traffic prediction. The performance of the proposed approach is studied using data regarding events from MTDs with different ranges of entropy. Our model outperforms existing baseline solutions in saving resources and accuracy with a margin of around 9%. Reduction in Random Access (RA) requests by our model is also analyzed to demonstrate the low amount of signaling required as a result of our proposed LSTM based source traffic prediction approach.

Low Complexity Autoencoder based End-to-End Learning of Coded Communications Systems

End-to-end learning of a communications system using the deep learning-based autoencoder concept has drawn interest in recent research due to its simplicity, flexibility and its potential of adapting to complex channel models and practical system imperfections. In this paper, we have compared the bit error rate (BER) performance of autoencoder based systems and conventional channel coded systems with convolutional coding, in order to understand the potential of deep learning-based systems as alternatives to conventional systems. From the simulations, autoencoder implementation was observed to have a better BER in 0-5 dB $E_{b}/N_{0}$ range than its equivalent half-rate convolutional coded BPSK with hard decision decoding, and to have only less than 1 dB gap at a BER of $10^{-5}$. Furthermore, we have also proposed a novel low complexity autoencoder architecture to implement end-to-end learning of coded systems in which we have shown better BER performance than the baseline implementation. The newly proposed low complexity autoencoder was capable of achieving a better BER performance than half-rate 16-QAM with hard decision decoding over the full 0-10 dB $E_{b}/N_{0}$ range and a better BER performance than the soft decision decoding in 0-4 dB $E_{b}/N_{0}$ range.

Autonomous Driving without a Burden: View from Outside with Elevated LiDAR

The current autonomous driving architecture places a heavy burden in signal processing for the graphics processing units (GPUs) in the car. This directly translates into battery drain and lower energy efficiency, crucial factors in electric vehicles. This is due to the high bit rate of the captured video and other sensing inputs, mainly due to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor at the top of the car which is an essential feature in autonomous vehicles. LiDAR is needed to obtain a high precision map for the vehicle AI to make relevant decisions. However, this is still a quite restricted view from the car. This is the same even in the case of cars without a LiDAR such as Tesla. The existing LiDARs and the cameras have limited horizontal and vertical fields of visions. In all cases it can be argued that precision is lower, given the smaller map generated. This also results in the accumulation of a large amount of data in the order of several TBs in a day, the storage of which becomes challenging. If we are to reduce the effort for the processing units inside the car, we need to uplink the data to edge or an appropriately placed cloud. However, the required data rates in the order of several Gbps are difficult to be met even with the advent of 5G. Therefore, we propose to have a coordinated set of LiDAR's outside at an elevation which can provide an integrated view with a much larger field of vision (FoV) to a centralized decision making body which then sends the required control actions to the vehicles with a lower bit rate in the downlink and with the required latency. The calculations we have based on industry standard equipment from several manufacturers show that this is not just a concept but a feasible system which can be implemented.The proposed system can play a supportive role with existing autonomous vehicle architecture and it is easily applicable in an urban area.