Frontiers | Epidemic dynamics edge caching strategy for 6G networks

By caching popular content on edge servers closer to users to respond to users’ content requests in 6G networks, the transmission load of backhaul links can be reduced. However, the time-varying characteristics of content prevalence leads to the issue that the cache content may not match the user’s needs, resulting in a decrease in cache success ratio. To solve these issues, we proposed a cache distribution strategy based on epidemic dynamics (CDSED) for 6G edge network. First, a 6G edge caching content model (6G ECCM) is constructed to establish the process of cache content propagation among users as an infectious disease propagation process, analyze the distribution of users’ interest in cache content and obtain the cache content state probability prediction equation, and use the cache content state probability prediction equation to predict the cache content prevalence. Second, based on the predicted prevalence results, a prevalence predictive genetic-annealing cache content algorithm (PGAC) is proposed with the optimization objective of maximizing the cache success ratio. The algorithm designs the selection function of the traditional genetic algorithm as a simulated annealing selection function based on the cache content success ratio, which avoids the defect of the genetic algorithm that converges to the locally optimum cache strategy too early and enhances the cache success ratio. Finally, the optimum cache content decision is solved by iterative alternation. Simulation results demonstrate that CDSED strategy can enhance cache success ratio than the LRU strategy, the LFU strategy, and the MPC strategy.