LightGBM for Slice Recognition at 5G PHY and MAC Layers

Slicing functionality makes it possible for an operator to share a 5G physical infrastructure between several virtual networks operated by different institutions. The deployed slices can support a wide range of applications with conflicting QoS targets. The coexistence of these slices on top of a common infrastructure is challenging and remains an open issue. Identifying traffic associated with a given type of slice is required to operate and control network resources in an efficient and secure way. This work proposes new algorithms operating at the physical and MAC layers. The solutions designed identify traffic generated by URLLC and eMBB slices by defining a new LightGBM framework. The algorithms can operate at the base station level in an O-RAN-type architecture. They provide a valuable input to radio resource management and traffic steering procedures.