iMAHR: An Intelligent Multi-Access Hybrid Routing Scheme for Addressing Middle-Mile Connectivity Challenges in Rural Areas
摘要
A key objective of 6G networks is to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas by providing ubiquitous Internet connectivity to underserved rural populations. To achieve this, we propose a hybrid network architecture integrating optical fiber cables (OFC), wireless networks (WN), and free-space optics (FSO), which are cost-effective and easily deployable in rural regions. Our solution addresses critical challenges in rural connectivity, offering a scalable and intelligent framework for future 6G networks. An intelligent multi-access routing algorithm is introduced to dynamically route messages through the most appropriate channel of either OFC or WN or FSO, based on real-time conditions. This approach aims to optimize bandwidth utilization, reduce communication latency, minimize jitter, and reduce packet loss rate. A multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to balance these performance metrics, and its solution is implemented as a channel selection algorithm. The proposed algorithm adopts flow-based routing, where each flow represents a session of multiple packets exchanged between users with specific service requirements. User needs are categorized into five primary service classes, each defined by Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, including bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss rate. A Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) learning model predicts channel characteristics using historical data, enabling optimal channel assignment to each flow, based on real-time conditions and user QoS requirements. The proposed multi-access hybrid routing scheme ensures efficient allocation of network resources while meeting QoS demands, thereby enhancing user satisfaction.