arXiv subjects

Ahan Kak

Publications and source records attributed to Ahan Kak.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

inRAN: Interpretable Online Bayesian Learning for Network Automation in Open Radio Access Networks

Emerging AI/ML techniques have been showing great potential in automating network control in open radio access networks (Open RAN). However, existing approaches heavily rely on blackbox policies parameterized by deep neural networks, which inherently lack interpretability, explainability, and transparency, and create substantial obstacles in practical network deployment. In this paper, we propose inRAN, a novel interpretable online Bayesian learning framework for network automation in Open RAN. The core idea is to integrate interpretable surrogate models and safe optimization solvers to continually optimize control actions, while adapting to non-stationary dynamics in real-world networks. We achieve the inRAN framework with three key components: 1) an interpretable surrogate model via ensembling Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs); 2) safe optimization solvers via integrating genetic search and trust-region descent method; 3) an online dynamics tracker via continual model learning and adaptive threshold offset. We implement inRAN in an end-to-end O-RAN-compliant network testbed, and conduct extensive over-the-air experiments with the focused use case of network slicing. The results show that, inRAN substantially outperforms state-of-the-art works, by guaranteeing the chance-based constraint with a 92.67% assurance ratio with comparative resource usage throughout the online network control, under unforeseeable time-evolving network dynamics.

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arXiv2025

Odin: Effective End-to-End SLA Decomposition for 5G/6G Network Slicing via Online Learning

Network slicing plays a crucial role in realizing 5G/6G advances, enabling diverse Service Level Agreement (SLA) requirements related to latency, throughput, and reliability. Since network slices are deployed end-to-end (E2E), across multiple domains including access, transport, and core networks, it is essential to efficiently decompose an E2E SLA into domain-level targets, so that each domain can provision adequate resources for the slice. However, decomposing SLAs is highly challenging due to the heterogeneity of domains, dynamic network conditions, and the fact that the SLA orchestrator is oblivious to the domain's resource optimization. In this work, we propose Odin, a Bayesian Optimization-based solution that leverages each domain's online feedback for provably-efficient SLA decomposition. Through theoretical analyses and rigorous evaluations, we demonstrate that Odin's E2E orchestrator can achieve up to 45% performance improvement in SLA satisfaction when compared with baseline solutions whilst reducing overall resource costs even in the presence of noisy feedback from the individual domains.

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arXiv2025

InSlicing: Interpretable Learning-Assisted Network Slice Configuration in Open Radio Access Networks

Network slicing is a key technology enabling the flexibility and efficiency of 5G networks, offering customized services for diverse applications. However, existing methods face challenges in adapting to dynamic network environments and lack interpretability in performance models. In this paper, we propose a novel interpretable network slice configuration algorithm (\emph{InSlicing}) in open radio access networks, by integrating Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) and hybrid optimization process. On the one hand, we use KANs to approximate and learn the unknown performance function of individual slices, which converts the blackbox optimization problem. On the other hand, we solve the converted problem with a genetic method for global search and incorporate a trust region for gradient-based local refinement. With the extensive evaluation, we show that our proposed algorithm achieves high interpretability while reducing 25+\% operation cost than existing solutions.

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arXiv2025

AdaSlicing: Adaptive Online Network Slicing under Continual Network Dynamics in Open Radio Access Networks

Open radio access networks (e.g., O-RAN) facilitate fine-grained control (e.g., near-RT RIC) in next-generation networks, necessitating advanced AI/ML techniques in handling online resource orchestration in real-time. However, existing approaches can hardly adapt to time-evolving network dynamics in network slicing, leading to significant online performance degradation. In this paper, we propose AdaSlicing, a new adaptive network slicing system, to online learn to orchestrate virtual resources while efficiently adapting to continual network dynamics. The AdaSlicing system includes a new soft-isolated RAN virtualization framework and a novel AdaOrch algorithm. We design the AdaOrch algorithm by integrating AI/ML techniques (i.e., Bayesian learning agents) and optimization methods (i.e., the ADMM coordinator). We design the soft-isolated RAN virtualization to improve the virtual resource utilization of slices while assuring the isolation among virtual resources at runtime. We implement AdaSlicing on an O-RAN compliant network testbed by using OpenAirInterface RAN, Open5GS Core, and FlexRIC near-RT RIC, with Ettus USRP B210 SDR. With extensive network experiments, we demonstrate that AdaSlicing substantially outperforms state-of-the-art works with 64.2% cost reduction and 45.5% normalized performance improvement, which verifies its high adaptability, scalability, and assurance.

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arXiv2024

HexRAN: A Programmable Approach to Open RAN Base Station System Design

In recent years, the radio access network (RAN) domain has witnessed a sea change with increasing levels of virtualization and softwarization driven by emerging paradigms such as the Open RAN (O-RAN) movement. However, the fundamental building block of the cellular network, i.e., the base station, remains unchanged and ill-equipped to handle this architectural evolution. In particular, with reference to existing base station architectures, there exists a general lack of programmability and composability along with a protocol stack that grapples with diverging and often conflicting requirements set forth by 3GPP and O-RAN. Recognizing the need for an "O-RAN-native" approach to base station design, this paper introduces HexRAN- a novel base station architecture characterized by key features relating to RAN disaggregation and composability, 3GPP and O-RAN protocol integration and programmability, robust controller interactions, and customizable RAN slicing. Furthermore, the paper also includes a concrete systems-level prototype and comprehensive experimental evaluation of HexRAN on an over-the-air testbed, showcasing the scalability and performance benefits associated with the proposed architecture.

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