Dynamic SFC Embedding Algorithm Assisted by Federated Learning in Space–Air–Ground-Integrated Network Resource Allocation Scenario

Traditional terrestrial wireless communication networks cannot support the requirements for high-quality services for artificial intelligence applications such as smart cities. The space–air–ground-integrated network (SAGIN) could provide a solution to address this challenge. However, SAGIN is heterogeneous, time-varying, and multidimensional information sources, making it difficult for traditional network architectures to support resource allocation in large-scale complex network environments. This article proposes a service provision method based on service function chaining (SFC) to solve this problem. Network function virtualization (NFV) is essential for efficient resource allocation in SAGIN to meet the resource requirements of user service requests. We propose a federated learning (FL)-based algorithm to solve the embedding problem of SFCs in SAGIN. The algorithm considers different characteristics of nodes and resource load to balance resource consumption. Then, an SFC scheduling mechanism is proposed that allows SFC reconfiguration to reduce the service blocking rate. Simulation results show that our proposed FL-VNFE algorithm is more advantageous compared to other algorithms, with 12.9%, 2.52%, and 10.5% improvement in long-term average revenue, acceptance rate, and long-term average revenue–cost ratio, respectively.

I. Introduction

Social and businesses need to constantly drive the rapid development of 6G. 6G will provide services in more complex and diverse application scenarios, involving politics, economics, education, healthcare, and many other aspects [1]. The future network communication system will be characterized by all things connected together to achieve ubiquitous connectivity on a global scale [2], [3]. At the same time, through collaborative transmission, the resources of multiple systems are managed uniformly to improve the utilization efficiency of the overall resources. However, existing ground networks operate independently, lack cooperation mechanisms, and have limited coverage. Therefore, the 6G network needs to break through the limitations of the terrain environment and build a space–air–ground-integrated network (SAGIN) across space, air, and ground [4], [5].