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, 2025, ISSN: 15361233 (ISSN).
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=3cb5a2143b9ce4ca7f931a60f1bf239c},
doi = {10.1109/TMC.2025.3550815},
issn = {15361233 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing},
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. © 2002-2012 IEEE.},
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. © 2002-2012 IEEE.
Zhang, Z.; Wang, J.; Chen, J.; Fang, Z.; Jiang, C.; Han, Z.
A Priority-Aware AI-Generated Content Resource Allocation Method for Multi-UAV Aided Metaverse Proceedings Article
In: IEEE Wireless Commun. Networking Conf. WCNC, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025, ISBN: 15253511 (ISSN); 979-835036836-9 (ISBN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Aerial vehicle, AI-generated content, AI-generated content (AIGC), Allocation methods, Content-resources, Diffusion Model, Drones, Metaverse, Metaverses, Priority-aware, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Target drones, Unmanned aerial vehicle, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
@inproceedings{zhang_priority-aware_2025,
title = {A Priority-Aware AI-Generated Content Resource Allocation Method for Multi-UAV Aided Metaverse},
author = {Z. Zhang and J. Wang and J. Chen and Z. Fang and C. Jiang and Z. Han},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105006408540&doi=10.1109%2fWCNC61545.2025.10978443&partnerID=40&md5=69937c6fa9be1a038b28e7884dfe586b},
doi = {10.1109/WCNC61545.2025.10978443},
isbn = {15253511 (ISSN); 979-835036836-9 (ISBN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
booktitle = {IEEE Wireless Commun. Networking Conf. WCNC},
publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.},
abstract = {With the advancement of large model technologies, AI -generated content is gradually emerging as a mainstream method for content creation. The metaverse, as a key application scenario for the next-generation communication technologies, heavily depends on advanced content generation technologies. Nevertheless, the diverse types of metaverse applications and their stringent real-time requirements constrain the full potential of AIGC technologies within this environment. In order to tackle with this problem, we construct a priority-aware multi-UAV aided metaverse system and formulate it as a Markov decision process (MDP). We propose a diffusion-based reinforcement learning algorithm to solve the resource allocation problem and demonstrate its superiority through enough comparison and ablation experiments. © 2025 IEEE.},
keywords = {Aerial vehicle, AI-generated content, AI-generated content (AIGC), Allocation methods, Content-resources, Diffusion Model, Drones, Metaverse, Metaverses, Priority-aware, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Target drones, Unmanned aerial vehicle, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
With the advancement of large model technologies, AI -generated content is gradually emerging as a mainstream method for content creation. The metaverse, as a key application scenario for the next-generation communication technologies, heavily depends on advanced content generation technologies. Nevertheless, the diverse types of metaverse applications and their stringent real-time requirements constrain the full potential of AIGC technologies within this environment. In order to tackle with this problem, we construct a priority-aware multi-UAV aided metaverse system and formulate it as a Markov decision process (MDP). We propose a diffusion-based reinforcement learning algorithm to solve the resource allocation problem and demonstrate its superiority through enough comparison and ablation experiments. © 2025 IEEE.
Zhang, Z.; Wang, J.; Chen, J.; Fu, H.; Tong, Z.; Jiang, C.
Diffusion-Based Reinforcement Learning for Cooperative Offloading and Resource Allocation in Multi-UAV Assisted Edge-Enabled Metaverse Journal Article
In: IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 2025, ISSN: 00189545 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Aerial vehicle, Content creation, Content services, Contrastive Learning, Decision making, Deep learning, Deep reinforcement learning, Diffusion Model, Global industry, Helicopter services, Markov processes, Metaverse, Metaverses, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Typical application, Unmanned aerial vehicle, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
@article{zhang_diffusion-based_2025,
title = {Diffusion-Based Reinforcement Learning for Cooperative Offloading and Resource Allocation in Multi-UAV Assisted Edge-Enabled Metaverse},
author = {Z. Zhang and J. Wang and J. Chen and H. Fu and Z. Tong and C. Jiang},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85219108203&doi=10.1109%2fTVT.2025.3544879&partnerID=40&md5=fdbe1554f6cf7d47d4bbbb73b4b0d487},
doi = {10.1109/TVT.2025.3544879},
issn = {00189545 (ISSN)},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology},
abstract = {As one of the typical applications of 6G, the metaverse, with its superior immersion and diversified services, has garnered widespread attention from both the global industry and academia. Simultaneously, the emergence of AI-generated content (AIGC), exemplified by ChatGPT, has revolutionized the mean of content creation in the metaverse. Providing meataverse users with diversified AIGC services anytime and anywhere to meet the demand for immersive and blended virtual-real experiences in the physical world has become a major challenge in the development of the metaverse. Considering the flexibility and mobility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we innovatively incorporate multiple UAVs as one of the AIGC service providers and construct a multi-UAV assisted edge-enabled metaverse system in the context of AIGC-as-a-Service (AaaS) scenario. To solve the complex resource management and allocation problem in the aforementioned system, we formulate it as a Markov decision process (MDP) and propose utilizing the generative capabilities of the diffusion model in combination with the robust decision-making abilities of reinforcement learning to tackle these issues. In order to substantiate the efficacy of the proposed diffusion-based reinforcement learning framework, we propose a novel diffusion-based soft actor-critic algorithm for metaverse (Meta-DSAC). Subsequently, a series of experiments are executed and the simulation results empirically validate the proposed algorithm's comparative advantages of the ability to provide stable and substantial long-term rewards, as well as the enhanced capacity to model complex environment. © 2025 IEEE.},
keywords = {Aerial vehicle, Content creation, Content services, Contrastive Learning, Decision making, Deep learning, Deep reinforcement learning, Diffusion Model, Global industry, Helicopter services, Markov processes, Metaverse, Metaverses, Reinforcement Learning, Reinforcement learnings, Resource allocation, Resources allocation, Typical application, Unmanned aerial vehicle, Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
As one of the typical applications of 6G, the metaverse, with its superior immersion and diversified services, has garnered widespread attention from both the global industry and academia. Simultaneously, the emergence of AI-generated content (AIGC), exemplified by ChatGPT, has revolutionized the mean of content creation in the metaverse. Providing meataverse users with diversified AIGC services anytime and anywhere to meet the demand for immersive and blended virtual-real experiences in the physical world has become a major challenge in the development of the metaverse. Considering the flexibility and mobility of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), we innovatively incorporate multiple UAVs as one of the AIGC service providers and construct a multi-UAV assisted edge-enabled metaverse system in the context of AIGC-as-a-Service (AaaS) scenario. To solve the complex resource management and allocation problem in the aforementioned system, we formulate it as a Markov decision process (MDP) and propose utilizing the generative capabilities of the diffusion model in combination with the robust decision-making abilities of reinforcement learning to tackle these issues. In order to substantiate the efficacy of the proposed diffusion-based reinforcement learning framework, we propose a novel diffusion-based soft actor-critic algorithm for metaverse (Meta-DSAC). Subsequently, a series of experiments are executed and the simulation results empirically validate the proposed algorithm's comparative advantages of the ability to provide stable and substantial long-term rewards, as well as the enhanced capacity to model complex environment. © 2025 IEEE.
2024
Du, B.; Du, H.; Liu, H.; Niyato, D.; Xin, P.; Yu, J.; Qi, M.; Tang, Y.
YOLO-Based Semantic Communication with Generative AI-Aided Resource Allocation for Digital Twins Construction Journal Article
In: IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 7664–7678, 2024, ISSN: 23274662 (ISSN).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cost reduction, Data transfer, Digital Twins, Edge detection, Image edge detection, Network layers, Object Detection, Object detectors, Objects detection, Physical world, Resource allocation, Resource management, Resources allocation, Semantic communication, Semantics, Semantics Information, Virtual Reality, Virtual worlds, Wireless communications
@article{du_yolo-based_2024,
title = {YOLO-Based Semantic Communication with Generative AI-Aided Resource Allocation for Digital Twins Construction},
author = {B. Du and H. Du and H. Liu and D. Niyato and P. Xin and J. Yu and M. Qi and Y. Tang},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85173060990&doi=10.1109%2fJIOT.2023.3317629&partnerID=40&md5=60507e2f6ce2b1c345248867a9c527a1},
doi = {10.1109/JIOT.2023.3317629},
issn = {23274662 (ISSN)},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {IEEE Internet of Things Journal},
volume = {11},
number = {5},
pages = {7664–7678},
abstract = {Digital Twins play a crucial role in bridging the physical and virtual worlds. Given the dynamic and evolving characteristics of the physical world, a huge volume of data transmission and exchange is necessary to attain synchronized updates in the virtual world. In this article, we propose a semantic communication framework based on you only look once (YOLO) to construct a virtual apple orchard with the aim of mitigating the costs associated with data transmission. Specifically, we first employ the YOLOv7-X object detector to extract semantic information from captured images of edge devices, thereby reducing the volume of transmitted data and saving transmission costs. Afterwards, we quantify the importance of each semantic information by the confidence generated through the object detector. Based on this, we propose two resource allocation schemes, i.e., the confidence-based scheme and the acrlong AI-generated scheme, aimed at enhancing the transmission quality of important semantic information. The proposed diffusion model generates an optimal allocation scheme that outperforms both the average allocation scheme and the confidence-based allocation scheme. Moreover, to obtain semantic information more effectively, we enhance the detection capability of the YOLOv7-X object detector by introducing new efficient layer aggregation network-horNet (ELAN-H) and SimAM attention modules, while reducing the model parameters and computational complexity, making it easier to run on edge devices with limited performance. The numerical results indicate that our proposed semantic communication framework and resource allocation schemes significantly reduce transmission costs while enhancing the transmission quality of important information in communication services. © 2014 IEEE.},
keywords = {Cost reduction, Data transfer, Digital Twins, Edge detection, Image edge detection, Network layers, Object Detection, Object detectors, Objects detection, Physical world, Resource allocation, Resource management, Resources allocation, Semantic communication, Semantics, Semantics Information, Virtual Reality, Virtual worlds, Wireless communications},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Digital Twins play a crucial role in bridging the physical and virtual worlds. Given the dynamic and evolving characteristics of the physical world, a huge volume of data transmission and exchange is necessary to attain synchronized updates in the virtual world. In this article, we propose a semantic communication framework based on you only look once (YOLO) to construct a virtual apple orchard with the aim of mitigating the costs associated with data transmission. Specifically, we first employ the YOLOv7-X object detector to extract semantic information from captured images of edge devices, thereby reducing the volume of transmitted data and saving transmission costs. Afterwards, we quantify the importance of each semantic information by the confidence generated through the object detector. Based on this, we propose two resource allocation schemes, i.e., the confidence-based scheme and the acrlong AI-generated scheme, aimed at enhancing the transmission quality of important semantic information. The proposed diffusion model generates an optimal allocation scheme that outperforms both the average allocation scheme and the confidence-based allocation scheme. Moreover, to obtain semantic information more effectively, we enhance the detection capability of the YOLOv7-X object detector by introducing new efficient layer aggregation network-horNet (ELAN-H) and SimAM attention modules, while reducing the model parameters and computational complexity, making it easier to run on edge devices with limited performance. The numerical results indicate that our proposed semantic communication framework and resource allocation schemes significantly reduce transmission costs while enhancing the transmission quality of important information in communication services. © 2014 IEEE.