Proximal Policy Optimization for Efficient D2D-Assisted Computation Offloading and Resource Allocation in Multi-Access Edge Computing

In the advanced 5G and beyond networks, multi-access edge computing (MEC) is increasingly recognized as a promising technology, offering the dual advantages of reducing energy utilization in cloud data centers while catering to the demands for reliability and real-time responsiveness in end devices. However, the inherent complexity and variability of MEC networks pose significant challenges in computational offloading decisions. To tackle this problem, we propose a proximal policy optimization (PPO)-based Device-to-Device (D2D)-assisted computation offloading and resource allocation scheme. We construct a realistic MEC network environment and develop a Markov decision process (MDP) model that minimizes time loss and energy consumption. The integration of a D2D communication-based offloading framework allows for collaborative task offloading between end devices and MEC servers, enhancing both resource utilization and computational efficiency. The MDP model is solved using the PPO algorithm in deep reinforcement learning to derive an optimal policy for offloading and resource allocation. Extensive comparative analysis with three benchmarked approaches has confirmed our scheme’s superior performance in latency, energy consumption, and algorithmic convergence, demonstrating its potential to improve MEC network operations in the context of emerging 5G and beyond technologies.