FramCo: Frame corrupted detection for the Open RAN intelligent controller to assist UAV-based mission-critical operations

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5753/jisa.2024.4036

Keywords:

Communication networks, Artificial Intelligence, UAV, Mission-critical operations

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and communication systems are fundamental elements in Mission Critical services, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. UAVs can fly over an area, collect high-resolution video information, and transmit it back to a ground base station to identify victims through a Deep Neural Network object detection model. However, instabilities in the communication infrastructure can compromise SAR operations. For example, if one or more transmitted data packets fail to arrive at their destination, the high-resolution video frames can be distorted, degrading the application performance. In this article, we explore the relevance of computer vision application information, complementing the functionalities of Radio Access Network Intelligent Controllers for managing and orchestrating network components, through FramCo - a frame corrupted detection based on EfficientNet. Another contribution from this article is an architectural element that explores the components of the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) standard specification, with an assessment of a complex use case that explores new market trends, such as SAR operations assisted by UAV-based computer vision. The experimental results indicate that the proposed architectural element can act as an external trigger, integrated into the O-RAN cognitive control loop, significantly improving the performance of applications with sensitive Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

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Author Biographies

Elton V. Dias, Federal University of Goiás

Elton V. Dias has Graduating in Computer Science from the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Brazil. He is a member of the Computer Networks and Distributed Systems LABORAtory (LABORA) research group and has experience in development and scientific research. He participated in the research projects Novel Enablers for Cloud Slicing (NECOS), Future Internet Brazilian Environment for Experimentation (FIBRE) and Cloud ComputiNg EXperimental Testbed (CloudNEXT), the last two being in partnership with the National Research Network (RNP). His area of activity and interest involves Distributed Systems and Computer Networks

Cristiano Bonato Both, University of Vale do Rio do Sinos

Cristiano Bonato Both is a professor of the Applied Computing Graduate Program at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Brazil. He is a research fellow of the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Cristiano has experience in the coordination of the several research projects funded by H2020 EU-Brazil, CNPq, FAPERGS, and RNP. His research focuses on wireless networks, Mobile technologies (RAN and 5GC), softwarization and virtualization technologies for telecommunication networks, and SDN-like solutions for IoT Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN). Currently, he is involved with research activities on wireless networks, signal processing, computer network architecture, and software-defined networking publishing his scientific works in journals with high impact factor, such as IEEE Communication Magazine, IEEE Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Computer Networks Journal (Elsevier), etc. Moreover, Cristiano is participating in several Technical Programme and Organizing Committees for different worldwide conferences and congresses.

Kleber Vieira Cardoso, Federal University of Goiás

Kleber Vieira Cardoso is an associate professor at the Institute of Informatics – Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), where he has been a professor and researcher since 2009. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Universidade Federal de Goiás (1997), has MSc (2002) and PhD (2009) in Electrical Engineering from COPPE – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. In 2015, he spent his sabbatical at Virginia Tech (in the USA) and, in 2020, at Inria Saclay Research Centre (in France). He has participated in some international research projects (including two from joint calls BR-EU) and coordinated several national-sponsored research and development projects. His research has focused on the following topics: wireless networks, software-defined networks, virtualization, resource allocation, and performance evaluation.

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Published

2024-07-18

How to Cite

Macedo, C. J. A., Dias, E. V., Both, C. B., & Cardoso, K. V. (2024). FramCo: Frame corrupted detection for the Open RAN intelligent controller to assist UAV-based mission-critical operations. Journal of Internet Services and Applications, 15(1), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.5753/jisa.2024.4036

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research article