AHCI RESEARCH GROUP
Publications
Papers published in international journals,
proceedings of conferences, workshops and books.
OUR RESEARCH
Scientific Publications
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You can use the tag cloud to select only the papers dealing with specific research topics.
You can expand the Abstract, Links and BibTex record for each paper.
2025
Liu, G.; Du, H.; Wang, J.; Niyato, D.; Kim, D. I.
Contract-Inspired Contest Theory for Controllable Image Generation in Mobile Edge Metaverse Journal Article
In: IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 7389–7405, 2025, ISSN: 15361233 (ISSN), (Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Contest Theory, Deep learning, Deep reinforcement learning, Diffusion Model, Generative adversarial networks, Generative AI, High quality, Image generation, Image generations, Immersive technologies, Metaverses, Mobile edge computing, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Semantic data, Virtual addresses, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality
@article{liu_contract-inspired_2025,
title = {Contract-Inspired Contest Theory for Controllable Image Generation in Mobile Edge Metaverse},
author = {G. Liu and H. Du and J. Wang and D. Niyato and D. I. Kim},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105000066834&doi=10.1109%2FTMC.2025.3550815&partnerID=40&md5=f95abb0df00e3112fa2c15ee77eb41bc},
doi = {10.1109/TMC.2025.3550815},
issn = {15361233 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing},
volume = {24},
number = {8},
pages = {7389–7405},
abstract = {The rapid advancement of immersive technologies has propelled the development of the Metaverse, where the convergence of virtual and physical realities necessitates the generation of high-quality, photorealistic images to enhance user experience. However, generating these images, especially through Generative Diffusion Models (GDMs), in mobile edge computing environments presents significant challenges due to the limited computing resources of edge devices and the dynamic nature of wireless networks. This paper proposes a novel framework that integrates contract-inspired contest theory, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), and GDMs to optimize image generation in these resource-constrained environments. The framework addresses the critical challenges of resource allocation and semantic data transmission quality by incentivizing edge devices to efficiently transmit high-quality semantic data, which is essential for creating realistic and immersive images. The use of contest and contract theory ensures that edge devices are motivated to allocate resources effectively, while DRL dynamically adjusts to network conditions, optimizing the overall image generation process. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach not only improves the quality of generated images but also achieves superior convergence speed and stability compared to traditional methods. This makes the framework particularly effective for optimizing complex resource allocation tasks in mobile edge Metaverse applications, offering enhanced performance and efficiency in creating immersive virtual environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},
note = {Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},
keywords = {Contest Theory, Deep learning, Deep reinforcement learning, Diffusion Model, Generative adversarial networks, Generative AI, High quality, Image generation, Image generations, Immersive technologies, Metaverses, Mobile edge computing, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Semantic data, Virtual addresses, Virtual environments, Virtual Reality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The rapid advancement of immersive technologies has propelled the development of the Metaverse, where the convergence of virtual and physical realities necessitates the generation of high-quality, photorealistic images to enhance user experience. However, generating these images, especially through Generative Diffusion Models (GDMs), in mobile edge computing environments presents significant challenges due to the limited computing resources of edge devices and the dynamic nature of wireless networks. This paper proposes a novel framework that integrates contract-inspired contest theory, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), and GDMs to optimize image generation in these resource-constrained environments. The framework addresses the critical challenges of resource allocation and semantic data transmission quality by incentivizing edge devices to efficiently transmit high-quality semantic data, which is essential for creating realistic and immersive images. The use of contest and contract theory ensures that edge devices are motivated to allocate resources effectively, while DRL dynamically adjusts to network conditions, optimizing the overall image generation process. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach not only improves the quality of generated images but also achieves superior convergence speed and stability compared to traditional methods. This makes the framework particularly effective for optimizing complex resource allocation tasks in mobile edge Metaverse applications, offering enhanced performance and efficiency in creating immersive virtual environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Qian, P.; Redondo, C. V.; Wang, N.; Udora, C.; Men, J.; TAFAZOLLI, R.
Enabling Generative AI based Multi-sensory XR Applications with Mobile Edge Computing Proceedings Article
In: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025, ISBN: 9798331543709 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bandwidth, Edge computing, End-Users, Extended reality (XR), Generative AI, Gigabits per second, Holographic Application, Holographic applications, Holography, Interactive applications, Mobile edge computing, Mobile systems, Mobile telecommunication systems, Multi-Sensory, Network architecture, Real- time, Semantic Web, Semantics
@inproceedings{qian_enabling_2025,
title = {Enabling Generative AI based Multi-sensory XR Applications with Mobile Edge Computing},
author = {P. Qian and C. V. Redondo and N. Wang and C. Udora and J. Men and R. TAFAZOLLI},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105017962639&doi=10.1109%2FINFOCOMWKSHPS65812.2025.11152969&partnerID=40&md5=67f9f0030079cb49d844e01abc0d5971},
doi = {10.1109/INFOCOMWKSHPS65812.2025.11152969},
isbn = {9798331543709 (ISBN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},
abstract = {With the rapid development of XR devices, holographic applications are expanding across various domains. However, it is a consensus that capturing and transmitting real-time holographic content still requires significant bandwidth. Even with the enhanced wireless capabilities of mobile systems, they still fall short of meeting the bandwidth and latency demands required for near-Gigabit per second interactive application scenarios. This paper proposes a network architecture that leverages MEC to address these challenges with the assistant of Generative AI. In this framework, the MEC server can leverage the power of the generative AI model to generate holographic objects with the input of user semantic commands, instead of requiring end-users to capture and transmit large raw holographic data. This approach significantly reduces uplink bandwidth requirements while enabling efficient real-time content generation. To validate this approach, we design an interactive and multisensory operational training scenario relying solely on semantic uplink transmissions from the end-users. The preliminary results based on the testbed implemented highlight the feasibility of deploying diverse holographic applications in wireless environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},
keywords = {Bandwidth, Edge computing, End-Users, Extended reality (XR), Generative AI, Gigabits per second, Holographic Application, Holographic applications, Holography, Interactive applications, Mobile edge computing, Mobile systems, Mobile telecommunication systems, Multi-Sensory, Network architecture, Real- time, Semantic Web, Semantics},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
With the rapid development of XR devices, holographic applications are expanding across various domains. However, it is a consensus that capturing and transmitting real-time holographic content still requires significant bandwidth. Even with the enhanced wireless capabilities of mobile systems, they still fall short of meeting the bandwidth and latency demands required for near-Gigabit per second interactive application scenarios. This paper proposes a network architecture that leverages MEC to address these challenges with the assistant of Generative AI. In this framework, the MEC server can leverage the power of the generative AI model to generate holographic objects with the input of user semantic commands, instead of requiring end-users to capture and transmit large raw holographic data. This approach significantly reduces uplink bandwidth requirements while enabling efficient real-time content generation. To validate this approach, we design an interactive and multisensory operational training scenario relying solely on semantic uplink transmissions from the end-users. The preliminary results based on the testbed implemented highlight the feasibility of deploying diverse holographic applications in wireless environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
2024
Liew, Z. Q.; Xu, M.; Lim, W. Y. Bryan; Niyato, D.; Kim, D. I.
AI-Generated Bidding for Immersive AIGC Services in Mobile Edge-Empowered Metaverse Proceedings Article
In: Int. Conf. Inf. Networking, pp. 305–309, IEEE Computer Society, 2024, ISBN: 19767684 (ISSN); 979-835033094-6 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Artificial intelligence generated bid, Artificial intelligence generated content, Bidding mechanism, Bidding models, Budget constraint, Budget control, Budget-constraint bidding, Constrained optimization, Content services, Immersive, Learning systems, Metaverses, Mobile edge computing, Reinforcement Learning, Semantics, Virtual tour
@inproceedings{liew_ai-generated_2024,
title = {AI-Generated Bidding for Immersive AIGC Services in Mobile Edge-Empowered Metaverse},
author = {Z. Q. Liew and M. Xu and W. Y. Bryan Lim and D. Niyato and D. I. Kim},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85198324990&doi=10.1109%2fICOIN59985.2024.10572159&partnerID=40&md5=271f5c45e8e95f01b42acaee89599bd5},
doi = {10.1109/ICOIN59985.2024.10572159},
isbn = {19767684 (ISSN); 979-835033094-6 (ISBN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
booktitle = {Int. Conf. Inf. Networking},
pages = {305–309},
publisher = {IEEE Computer Society},
abstract = {Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) provide personalized and immersive content generation services for applications such as interactive advertisements, virtual tours, and metaverse. With the use of mobile edge computing (MEC), buyers can bid for the AIGC service to enhance their user experience in real-time. However, designing strategies to optimize the quality of the services won can be challenging for budget-constrained buyers. The performance of classical bidding mechanisms is limited by the fixed rules in the strategies. To this end, we propose AI-generated bidding (AIGB) to optimize the bidding strategies for AIGC. AIGB model uses reinforcement learning model to generate bids for the services by learning from the historical data and environment states such as remaining budget, budget consumption rate, and quality of the won services. To obtain quality AIGC service, we propose a semantic aware reward function for the AIGB model. The proposed model is tested with a real-world dataset and experiments show that our model outperforms the classical bidding mechanism in terms of the number of services won and the similarity score. © 2024 IEEE.},
keywords = {Artificial intelligence generated bid, Artificial intelligence generated content, Bidding mechanism, Bidding models, Budget constraint, Budget control, Budget-constraint bidding, Constrained optimization, Content services, Immersive, Learning systems, Metaverses, Mobile edge computing, Reinforcement Learning, Semantics, Virtual tour},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) provide personalized and immersive content generation services for applications such as interactive advertisements, virtual tours, and metaverse. With the use of mobile edge computing (MEC), buyers can bid for the AIGC service to enhance their user experience in real-time. However, designing strategies to optimize the quality of the services won can be challenging for budget-constrained buyers. The performance of classical bidding mechanisms is limited by the fixed rules in the strategies. To this end, we propose AI-generated bidding (AIGB) to optimize the bidding strategies for AIGC. AIGB model uses reinforcement learning model to generate bids for the services by learning from the historical data and environment states such as remaining budget, budget consumption rate, and quality of the won services. To obtain quality AIGC service, we propose a semantic aware reward function for the AIGB model. The proposed model is tested with a real-world dataset and experiments show that our model outperforms the classical bidding mechanism in terms of the number of services won and the similarity score. © 2024 IEEE.
Na, M.; Lee, J.
Generative AI-Enabled Energy-Efficient Mobile Augmented Reality in Multi-Access Edge Computing Journal Article
In: Applied Sciences (Switzerland), vol. 14, no. 18, 2024, ISSN: 20763417 (ISSN), (Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Artificial intelligence technologies, Augmented Reality, benchmarking, Computation offloading, Edge computing, Energy Efficient, Generative adversarial networks, Generative AI, Image enhancement, Mobile augmented reality, Mobile edge computing, Multi-access edge computing, Multiaccess, Quality of Service, Resolution process, super-resolution, Superresolution, Trade off
@article{na_generative_2024,
title = {Generative AI-Enabled Energy-Efficient Mobile Augmented Reality in Multi-Access Edge Computing},
author = {M. Na and J. Lee},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85205236316&doi=10.3390%2Fapp14188419&partnerID=40&md5=bb3541cad9af6e839ba08fbfc7e88c08},
doi = {10.3390/app14188419},
issn = {20763417 (ISSN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Applied Sciences (Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {18},
abstract = {This paper proposes a novel offloading and super-resolution (SR) control scheme for energy-efficient mobile augmented reality (MAR) in multi-access edge computing (MEC) using SR as a promising generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technology. Specifically, SR can enhance low-resolution images into high-resolution versions using GAI technologies. This capability is particularly advantageous in MAR by lowering the bitrate required for network transmission. However, this SR process requires considerable computational resources and can introduce latency, potentially overloading the MEC server if there are numerous offload requests for MAR services. In this context, we conduct an empirical study to verify that the computational latency of SR increases with the upscaling level. Therefore, we demonstrate a trade-off between computational latency and improved service satisfaction when upscaling images for object detection, as it enhances the detection accuracy. From this perspective, determining whether to apply SR for MAR, while jointly controlling offloading decisions, is challenging. Consequently, to design energy-efficient MAR, we rigorously formulate analytical models for the energy consumption of a MAR device, the overall latency and the MAR satisfaction of service quality from the enforcement of the service accuracy, taking into account the SR process at the MEC server. Finally, we develop a theoretical framework that optimizes the computation offloading and SR control problem for MAR clients by jointly optimizing the offloading and SR decisions, considering their trade-off in MAR with MEC. Finally, the performance evaluation indicates that our proposed framework effectively supports MAR services by efficiently managing offloading and SR decisions, balancing trade-offs between energy consumption, latency, and service satisfaction compared to benchmarks. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.},
note = {Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},
keywords = {Artificial intelligence technologies, Augmented Reality, benchmarking, Computation offloading, Edge computing, Energy Efficient, Generative adversarial networks, Generative AI, Image enhancement, Mobile augmented reality, Mobile edge computing, Multi-access edge computing, Multiaccess, Quality of Service, Resolution process, super-resolution, Superresolution, Trade off},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper proposes a novel offloading and super-resolution (SR) control scheme for energy-efficient mobile augmented reality (MAR) in multi-access edge computing (MEC) using SR as a promising generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technology. Specifically, SR can enhance low-resolution images into high-resolution versions using GAI technologies. This capability is particularly advantageous in MAR by lowering the bitrate required for network transmission. However, this SR process requires considerable computational resources and can introduce latency, potentially overloading the MEC server if there are numerous offload requests for MAR services. In this context, we conduct an empirical study to verify that the computational latency of SR increases with the upscaling level. Therefore, we demonstrate a trade-off between computational latency and improved service satisfaction when upscaling images for object detection, as it enhances the detection accuracy. From this perspective, determining whether to apply SR for MAR, while jointly controlling offloading decisions, is challenging. Consequently, to design energy-efficient MAR, we rigorously formulate analytical models for the energy consumption of a MAR device, the overall latency and the MAR satisfaction of service quality from the enforcement of the service accuracy, taking into account the SR process at the MEC server. Finally, we develop a theoretical framework that optimizes the computation offloading and SR control problem for MAR clients by jointly optimizing the offloading and SR decisions, considering their trade-off in MAR with MEC. Finally, the performance evaluation indicates that our proposed framework effectively supports MAR services by efficiently managing offloading and SR decisions, balancing trade-offs between energy consumption, latency, and service satisfaction compared to benchmarks. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.