Edge Computing and Multiple-Association in Ultra-Dense Networks: Performance Analysis

The recent advances and unprecedented ubiquity of computation-intensive applications such as virtual reality and mobile augmented reality force new approaches to handle the accompanying challenges. Ultra-Dense Network (UDN) as a leading direction in 5G and beyond offers an opportunistic degree of freedom to be exploited where a massive number of low-power and low-cost Small Cells (SCs) are deployed. In particular, integrating Edge Computing Servers (ECSs) within the SCs at the edge of the cellular network paves the way to tackle several challenges including the processing of computation-intensive tasks with low latency. To exploit the full potentials of UDNs and ECSs, we deploy multiple associations of SCs to the same user while partitioning and offloading its computation-intensive task to the integrated ECSs therein. In this regard, we formulate a mathematical framework using tools from stochastic geometry to evaluate the average processing delay per user. Extensive Monte-Carlo simulations are conducted to verify the accuracy of our analytical results under different system parameters. Results show the existence of an optimal order of multiple-association. In addition, we propose a novel offline task division approach which significantly reduces the overall delay.