Matching with contract-based resource trading in UAV-assisted MEC system

Abstract

Multi-access edge computing (MEC), as a computing model that provides services on the user side, can effectively solve the problems of high delay and resource shortage in traditional cloud computing when processing massive data. However, existing edge computing resources are still limited, and difficult to provide services to users in inaccessible remote areas. Considering that unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has the advantages of easy deployment, high flexibility and low cost, a UAV-assisted MEC hierarchical computation offloading framework is proposed. Firstly, contract theory is used to solve the information asymmetry problem between the platform and the UAV, and the UAV is encouraged to provide computing services. By analyzing the attributes and conditions of feasible contracts, the optimal contract is designed using the Lagrange multiplier method. Secondly, by constructing the preference set between UAV and mobile user (MU), a mobile user and unmanned aerial vehicle bilateral matching (MUBM) algorithm is proposed to establish the connection between user tasks and UAV computing resources. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the contract were verified through experiments. The experimental results also prove the stability of the MUBM.