Poster: Transport-Aware Resource Block Allocation in 5G Slicing

Network slicing in next-generation wireless networks is a mechanism that ensures isolation and optimal resource distribution among users under constraints imposed by limited information availability at Base Stations (BS). While several strategies to optimize wireless slices have been proposed, this poster introduces an approach to resource allocation in 5G networks that integrates detailed end-to-end flow-level data at the transport layer to refine the NextG resource block allocation process. In particular, we present an architecture that leverages the host's network stack and a novel in-network processing and scheduling component to optimize the dynamic resource allocation process in slicing. The proposed system design, illustrated through a comprehensive system architecture, aims to distribute Resource Blocks (RBs) effectively, accounting for the unique transport-level metrics of each flow. We present some initial evaluation results with an event-driven simulator, reflecting diverse traffic types and leveraging the Rayleigh fading channel model to simulate dynamic user movement. Our findings demonstrate a promising improvement in flow completion times and a reduction in packet loss, compared to traditional allocation methods such as Round Robin and Proportional Fair schemes, typically deployed in 5G production networks.