A new wave of communication technology is rapidly approaching, and UBC Okanagan researchers are looking into ways to configure next-generation mobile networks. Dr. Anas Chaaban works in the UBCO Communication Theory Lab, where researchers are studying a theoretical wireless communication architecture that will be designed to handle increasing data loads while sending and receiving data more quickly.
Dr. Chaaban, an Assistant Professor at UBCO’s School of Engineering, believes that next-generation mobile networks would outperform 5G in several areas, including dependability, coverage, and intelligence. The benefits extend far beyond speed. He predicts that the next generation of technology will be a completely integrated system that allows for instantaneous communication between devices, consumers, and the environment.
These new networks will necessitate intelligent architectures that provide huge connectivity, ultra-low latency, ultra-high dependability, high-quality experiences, energy efficiency, and lower deployment costs.
We are working on ways to take content like images or video files and break them down into smaller packets in order to transport them to a recipient. The interesting thing is that we can throw away a number of packets and rely on AI to recover them at the recipient, which then links them back together to recreate the image or video.
Dr. Chaaban
“One way to meet these stringent requirements is to rethink traditional communication techniques by exploiting recent advances in artificial intelligence,” he said. “Traditionally, functions including waveform design, channel estimation, interference mitigation, and error detection and correction are built using theoretical models and assumptions. This old methodology is incapable of adjusting to the new difficulties presented by evolving technologies.”
Using a technology called transformer-masked autoencoders, the researchers are developing techniques that enhance efficiency, adaptability, and robustness. Dr. Chaaban says while there are many challenges in this research, it is expected it will play an important role in next-generation communication networks.
“We are working on ways to take content like images or video files and break them down into smaller packets in order to transport them to a recipient,” he says “The interesting thing is that we can throw away a number of packets and rely on AI to recover them at the recipient, which then links them back together to recreate the image or video.”
The experience, even now, is something people take for granted but next-generation technology — where virtual reality will be a part of everyday communications including cell phone conversations — is positioned to improve wireless networks dramatically, he adds. The potential is unrivaled.
“AI provides us with the power to develop complex architectures that propel communications technologies forward to cope with the proliferation of advanced technologies such as virtual reality,” Chaaban said. “By collectively tackling these intricacies, the next generation of wireless technology can usher in a new era of adaptive, efficient and secure communication networks.”
