都大團隊開發演算法提升無線網絡效能 紓緩「網絡擁堵」

科技學院 都大團隊開發演算法提升無線網絡效能 紓緩「網絡擁堵」

都大團隊開發演算法提升無線網絡效能 紓緩「網絡擁堵」

日期:2023年4月13日

香港都會大學(都大)早前開展一項研究,藉開發演算法顯著提升無線網絡傳輸效能,紓緩因大量設備連接而造成的「網絡擁堵」問題。研究成果已於電機電子工程師學會(IEEE)科學期刊 IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications 發表,並得到廣泛肯定,除了獲研究資助局的教員發展計劃批出資助之外,亦贏得2022年都大舒小佩慈善基金——傑出研究著作獎。

無線網絡發展迅速,促進各項智慧應用(smart applications)的發展,徹底改變了我們的生活。超高清影片串流、虛擬實境、智慧出行,甚至遙距手術等,都可依靠高速、低時延的無線網絡來實現。不過,無線網絡應用一直存在一個問題:由於頻寬(bandwidth)有限,每當有太多的設備同時連接,難免降低網絡的傳輸效率,令上網速度變慢。

為改善此問題,都大科技學院助理教授付雅茹博士率領團隊進行研究,開發了一種演算法,以優化網絡內容的緩存、推薦和傳輸,將無線網絡的時延(latency)減至最低。經過全面模擬測試,這種演算法在現實生活的5G(第五代流動通訊技術)網絡環境下,明顯錄得比其他演算法更低的時延和更佳的緩存命中率(cache hit ratio),提升無線網絡的整體性能及效率,成果令人鼓舞,更為網絡行業開發下一代無線網絡提供了啟示。

付博士致力鑽研網絡科技,曾在法國和新加坡參與科研工作,在2018年取得電子工程博士學位,2020年加入都大任職助理教授。她曾獲美國史丹福大學列入全球2%頂尖科學家名單中。

近年5G應用越趨普及,全球多國已啟動6G(第六代流動通訊技術)的研究。聚焦於智慧無線通訊技術發展的付博士亦正埋首努力,她表示:「我們研究將網絡存儲和計算結合,希望解決第六代流動通訊的一些問題,包括龐大數據流量導致網絡擁擠,並增強計算能力。」

都大積極推動應用研究,付博士現為大學創新科技與持續發展研究所轄下先進網絡科技研究中心的主管,為大學培育生力軍。她表示會努力培養同事的科研興趣和吸引有研究能力的年輕人加入團隊,提升校園研究氛圍。

Jonathan Chiu
Marketing Director
3DP Technology Limited

Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.

Krutz Cheuk
Biomedical Engineer
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.

Hugo Leung
Software and Hardware Engineer
Innovation Team Company Limited

Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.

The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.

Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.

Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.

Course Code Title Credits
  COMP S321F Advanced Database and Data Warehousing 5
  COMP S333F Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms 5
  COMP S351F Software Project Management 5
  COMP S362F Concurrent and Network Programming 5
  COMP S363F Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing 5
  COMP S382F Data Mining and Analytics 5
  COMP S390F Creative Programming for Games 5
  COMP S492F Machine Learning 5
  ELEC S305F Computer Networking 5
  ELEC S348F IOT Security 5
  ELEC S371F Digital Forensics 5
  ELEC S431F Blockchain Technologies 5
  ELEC S425F Computer and Network Security 5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 ELEC S201FBasic Electronics5
 IT S290FHuman Computer Interaction & User Experience Design5
 STAT S251FStatistical Data Analysis5
 Course CodeTitleCredits
 COMPS333FAdvanced Programming and AI Algorithms5
 COMPS362FConcurrent and Network Programming5
 COMPS363FDistributed Systems and Parallel Computing5
 COMPS380FWeb Applications: Design and Development5
 COMPS381FServer-side Technologies and Cloud Computing5
 COMPS382FData Mining and Analytics5
 COMPS390FCreative Programming for Games5
 COMPS413FApplication Design and Development for Mobile Devices5
 COMPS492FMachine Learning5
 ELECS305FComputer Networking5
 ELECS363FAdvanced Computer Design5
 ELECS425FComputer and Network Security5