Introduction:

ITU-T Study Group 13 Focus Group on Machine Learning for Future Networks including 5G (FG ML5G) has accomplished its mission. The FG ML5G was active from January 2018 until July 2020.  

During its lifetime, FG ML5G delivered ten technical specifications.. Four of those specifications have already been approved by ITU-T SG13 and published by ITU-T.  Six further technical specifications are being considered by ITU-T SG13.  These ten technical specifications are publicly available free of charge. Please refer to ITU-T FG ML5G webpage to download the documents.  [All ITU-T Focus Group publications are available for download at ITU-T Focus Group webpage]

Deliverables processed by ITU-T SG13 and published by ITU-T are:

Y.Sup55: ITU-T Y.3170-series – Machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020: use cases

This Supplement describes use cases of machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020. For each use case description, along with the benefits of the use case, the most relevant possible requirements related to the use case are provided. Classification of the use cases into categories is also provided.

ITU-T Y.3172: Architectural framework for machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020

ITU-T Y.3172 specifies an architectural framework for machine learning (ML) in future networks including IMT-2020. A set of architectural requirements and specific architectural components needed to satisfy these requirements are presented. These components include, but are not limited to, an ML pipeline as well as ML management and orchestration functionalities. The integration of such components into future networks including IMT-2020 and guidelines for applying this architectural framework in a variety of technology-specific underlying networks are also described.

ITU-T Y.3173: Framework for evaluating intelligence levels of future networks including IMT-2020

ITU-T Y.3173 specifies a framework for evaluating the intelligence of future networks including IMT-2020 and a method for evaluating the intelligence levels of future networks including IMT-2020 is introduced. An architectural view for evaluating network intelligence levels is also described according to the architectural framework specified in Recommendation ITU-T Y.3172.

In addition, the relationship between the framework described in this Recommendation and corresponding work in other standards or industry bodies, as well as the application of the method for evaluating network intelligence levels on several representative use cases are also provided.

ITU-T Y.3174: Framework for data handling to enable machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020

ITU-T Y.3174 describes a framework for data handling to enable machine learning in future networks including International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2020. The requirements for data collection and processing mechanisms in various usage scenarios for machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020 are identified along with the requirements for applying machine learning output in the machine learning underlay network. Based on this, a generic framework for data handling and examples of its realization on specific underlying networks are described.

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This document is at an advanced stage in ITU-T SG13:

Draft Recommendation ITU-T Y.3176:  “ML marketplace integration in future networks including IMT-2020”

This document is a draft Recommendation under study by Q20 of SG13. This draft Recommendation provides the architecture for integration of ML marketplace in future networks including IMT-2020. The scope of this draft Recommendation includes: – Challenges and motivations for ML marketplace integration – High level requirements of ML marketplace integration – Architecture for integration of ML marketplace in networks.

The July 2020 ITU-T SG13 meeting started the approval process for this draft new Recommendation, which is largely based on the output of the FG ML5G.

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Deliverables which FG ML5G submitted to ITU-T SG13 for consideration:FG ML5G specification:

“Requirements, architecture and design for machine learning function orchestrator”

This technical specification discusses the requirements for machine learning function orchestrator (MLFO). These requirements are derived from the use cases for machine learning in future networks including IMT-2020. Based on these requirements, an architecture and design for the machine learning function orchestrator is described.

FG ML5G specification: “Serving framework for ML models in future networks including IMT-2020”

This specification describes a serving framework for ML models in future networks including IMT-2020. The specification includes requirements and architecture components for such a framework.

FG ML5G specification: “Machine Learning Sandbox for future networks including IMT-2020: requirements and architecture framework”

Use cases for integrating machine learning (ML) to future networks including IMT-2020 has been documented in Supplement 55 and an architecture framework for this integration was specified in ITU-T Y.3172. However, network stakeholders are apprehensive about using ML-driven approaches directly in live networking systems because it can lead to unexpected situations that can degrade KPIs. This is mostly due to the apparent complexity of ML mechanisms (e.g., deep learning), the incompleteness of the available training data, the uncertainty produced by exploration-exploitation approaches (e.g., reinforcement learning), etc. In the face of such impediments, the ML Sandbox emerges as a potential solution that allows mobile network operators (MNOs) for improving the degree of confidence in ML solutions before their application to the network infrastructure. This technical specification deals with the requirements, architecture, and implementation examples for ML Sandbox in future networks including IMT-2020.

FG ML5G specification: “Machine learning based end-to-end network slice management and orchestration”

This document proposes the framework and requirements of machine learning based end-to-end network slice management and orchestration in multi-domain environments.

FG ML5G specification: “Vertical-assisted Network Slicing Based on a Cognitive Framework”

This technical specification proposes a new framework that enables vertical QoE-aware network slice management empowered by machine learning technologies.

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Conclusions:

The activities of the FG ML5G were concluded and its mandate was accomplished. SG13 closed the FG ML5G while recognizing the FG ML5G chairman Prof. Dr. Slawomir Stanczak (Frauenhofer HHI, Germany) and his management team, active contributors and all the FG members.

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References:

https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/focusgroups/ml5g/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.itu.int/pub/T-FG/e