Researcher Dr. Granelli answered questions about the topics he will address in his presentation on July 9
In your perspective, what are the main possibilities of using Network Digital Twins and what is the importance of this research field for advancing IoT and communication networks?
Digital Twins in general represent a technology that is based on advanced IoT, as sensors are required in order to maintain the accuracy in the digital representation of a real object or device. Network Digital Twins (e.g. Digital Twins of Networks) are a key technology to implement automation, as their presence allows network management algorithms to perform tests on the virtual version of the network before applying those actions to the actual network infrastructure, thus improving the quality of the actions.
Which would be the risks or limitations (or the advantages) of using Network Digital Twins in future networks, particularly regarding data security and privacy?
Two main limitations:
– Computational overhead/ potential higher energy consumption, due to the presence and complexity of handling Network Digital Twins;
– Data security and privacy, since data exchange is required between the physical and the digital twin
However, both limitations can be addressed, but they represent current challenges.
Could you share some examples of specific areas or applications where Network Digital Twins have already shown concrete impact or disruptive potential, beyond traditional communications scenarios?
I will present some of those in the lecture:
– NDTs for security, e.g. using NDTs to predict and analyze (potential) security threats. A quick and effective answer is necessary.
– NDTs for energy optimization. NDTs can include measurements of energy consumption from the actual networks, thus enabling to take “informed” decisions when we want to reduce or optimize energy consumption.
What are the possibilities you would mention on the integration between Network Digital Twins and other emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and 6G? Which synergies do you find most promising?
Both are possible:
– NDTs & 6G are quickly becoming a reality, as NDTs are being introduced in standards from 3GPP and ETSI.
– NDTs & AI represent another interesting couple. For example, NDTs can be used to train ML/AI by offering realistic data and enabling to design scenarios that might be very rare or even hypothetica.
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