A novel offloading strategy for multi-user optimization in blockchain-enabled Mobile Edge Computing networks for improved Internet of Things performance

【Author】 Rahmani, Amir Masoud; Tanveer, Jawad; Gharehchopogh, Farhad Soleimanian; Rajabi, Shakiba; Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi

【Source】COMPUTERS & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

【影响因子】4.152

【Abstract】As blockchain technology merges with Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and the Internet of Things (IoT), we encounter increasing challenges such as high energy consumption and latency due to the network's scale and complexity. Therefore, optimizing these communications and effectively managing computational task offloading is crucial, with data security being an essential concern. This paper studies these issues by examining networks that already operate within blockchain environments, where the complex process of transaction validations intensifies the demands on the system. We propose a new solution through the A3C-AHP offloading framework, which integrates the Asynchronous Advantage Actor-Critic (A3C) algorithm with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This combination optimizes task offloading for multiple IoT users in MEC settings. The A3C algorithm improves decision-making by allowing agents to learn and adjust policies simultaneously, while AHP helps systematically evaluate and prioritize different network elements. Our framework adeptly manages the trade-offs between energy use, latency, and security when implemented in a blockchain context. Simulation results show that the A3C-AHP model notably enhances performance, cutting energy consumption by approximately 15.4 %, computational overhead by 49.5 %, latency by about 9.1 %, and operational costs by 8 % for networks with 100 users, highlighting its effectiveness and practical relevance.

【Keywords】Internet of Things; Mobile Edge Computing; Blockchain; Computational task offloading

【发表时间】2024 OCT

【收录时间】2024-08-20

【文献类型】实验仿真

【主题类别】

区块链技术-协同技术-物联网