Smart contract implementation on network sharing for 6G wireless networks

Abstract

In this article, we implemented a novel blockchain-oriented RAN (BRAN) by allowing multiple players to trade RAN utilities (such as infrastructure) in terms of virtual network functions (VNFs) that are autonomous and dynamic. Particularly, we designed a multi-player network sharing (MPNS) smart contract which enables the automation of RAN-sharing processes using static or free-marketplace-oriented paradigms. The simulation results, acquired through auction-based and free-marketplace RAN-sharing methods, were evaluated based on user equipment (UE) capacity, UE satisfaction rate, base station (BS) efficiency, and end-to-end latency parameters. These results were then compared to those of the existing static RAN. It is observed from the simulation results that the performance of the blockchain-oriented free-marketplace RAN-sharing mechanism is 35% more efficient in terms of UE capacity and 40.5% more efficient in terms of UE satisfaction rate when compared to existing static RAN with the increase as the number of players in RAN environments. The proposed BRAN paradigm has spacious applications in 6G wireless networks, where user’s security, capacity, satisfaction rate, and latency are crucial constraints.