Beyond 5G networks are expected to support massive traffic through decentralized solutions and advanced networking mechanisms. This paper aims at contributing towards this vision through the integration of device-centric wireless networks, including Device-to-Device (D2D) communications, and the Next Generation of Opportunistic networking (NGO). This integration offers multiple communication modes such as opportunistic cellular and opportunistic D2D-aided communications. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential and benefits of this integration in terms of energy efficiency, spectral efficiency and traffic offloading. We propose an integration of device-centric wireless networks and NGO that is not driven by a precise knowledge of the presence of the links. The proposed technique utilizes a novel concept of graph to model the evolution of the networking conditions and network connectivity. Uncertainties and future conditions are included in the proposed graph model through anticipatory mobile networking to estimate the transmission energy cost of the different communication modes. Based on these estimates, the devices schedule their transmissions using the most efficient communication mode. These decisions are later revisited in real-time using more precise knowledge about the network state. The conducted evaluation shows that the proposed technique significantly reduces the energy consumption (from 60% to 90%, depending on the scenario) compared to traditional single-hop cellular communications, and performs closely to an ideal “oracle based” system with full knowledge of present and future events. The transmission and computational overheads of the proposed technique show a small impact on such energy gains.

超越5G的网络有望通过分散的解决方案和先进的网络机制支持大量流量。本文旨在通过以设备为中心的无线网络（包括设备到设备（D2D）通信）和下一代机会网络（NGO）的集成来实现这一愿景。这种集成提供了多种通信模式，例如机会性蜂窝和机会性D2D辅助通信。先前的研究已经证明了这种集成在能源效率，频谱效率和流量卸载方面的潜力和优势。我们建议以设备为中心的无线网络和NGO的集成，而不是由对链接存在的精确了解来驱动。所提出的技术利用图形的新颖概念来建模网络条件和网络连接性的演变。通过预期的移动网络将不确定性和未来条件包括在所提出的图模型中，以估计不同通信模式的传输能量成本。基于这些估计，设备使用最有效的通信模式来调度其传输。稍后，使用有关网络状态的更精确的知识可以实时地重新访问这些决策。进行的评估表明，与传统的单跳蜂窝通信相比，所提出的技术可显着降低能耗（从60％降低到90％，具体取决于场景），并且在了解以下方面的情况下，可以与理想的基于“ oracle”的系统紧密结合现在和将来的事件。