Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning based Edge Content Caching for Connected Autonomous Vehicles in IoV

Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Driving, as a data-driven intelligent driving technology within the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), presents significant challenges to the efficiency and security of real-time data management. The combination of Web3.0 and edge content caching holds promise in providing low-latency data access for CAVs’ real-time applications. Web3.0 enables the reliable pre-migration of frequently requested content from content providers to edge nodes. However, identifying optimal edge node peers for joint content caching and replacement remains challenging due to the dynamic nature of traffic flow in IoV. Addressing these challenges, this article introduces GAMA-Cache, an innovative edge content caching methodology leveraging Graph Attention Networks (GAT) and Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL). GAMA-Cache conceptualizes the cooperative edge content caching issue as a constrained Markov decision process. It employs a MARL technique predicated on cooperation effectiveness to discern optimal caching decisions, with GAT augmenting information extracted from adjacent nodes. A distinct collaborator selection mechanism is also developed to streamline communication between agents, filtering out those with minimal correlations in the vector input to the policy network. Experimental results demonstrate that, in terms of service latency and delivery failure, the GAMA-Cache outperforms other state-of-the-art MARL solutions for edge content caching in IoV.