NR-U Network Load Balancing: A Game Theoretic Reinforcement Learning Approach

In this paper, we propose a load-aware, load-balancing procedure for fifth-generation (5G) New Radio-Unlicensed (NR-U) networks in order to address performance degradation and resource inefficiencies caused by load imbalance. Load imbalances frequently occur in NR-U networks due to factors such as the dynamic spectrum, user mobility, and varying traffic demand. To tackle these challenges, a load-aware, load-balancing procedure utilizing game theoretic reinforcement learning (GT-RL) is introduced. For load awareness, an extended System Information Block (SIB) is incorporated within the framework of 5G wireless networks. The load-balancing problem is addressed as a game theoretic cost-minimization task combining conditional offloading with reinforcement learning traffic-steering to dynamically distribute loads. Reinforcement learning applies a game theoretic policy to move users from overloaded cells to less congested cells that best serve their needs. Analytically, the proposed method is proven to spread the network load toward equilibrium. The proposed method is validated through simulations that show the effectiveness of its load balancing. The proposed method achieved better performance than previous work by attaining lower load variances while achieving higher throughput and greater quality of service satisfaction. Especially under high-load dynamics, the proposed method achieved an 8% gain in UE satisfaction with QoS and a 7.61% gain in network throughput compared to existing RL-based approach, whereas compared to the non-AI approaches, UE QoS satisfaction and the network throughput were enhanced by more than 15%.