VLDB 2026 Research / reviewers in the wild / expert
Han Zhang 0055
dblp:26/4189-55
· DBLP profile ↗
12ranked-venue papers
7as first author
12since 2021 · last 2026
0009-0005-2386-3559ORCID · conflict
Domains — the database's venue-derived domains; a paper can count in several
Computer networks · 10 · 7 first-author · 10 since 2021
| Year | Publication | Venue | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Foundation Model-Aided Hierarchical Deep Reinforcement Learning for Blockage-Aware Link in RIS-Assisted Networks
Mohammad Ghassemi, Han Zhang 0055, Ali Afana, Akram Bin Sediq, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
ICC | 2 |
| 2026 | Supervised Contrastive Learning for Uncertainty-Aware Wireless Signal Analysis: A Case Study for Modulation ClassificationabstractArtificial intelligence (AI), and more specifically deep learning techniques, have demonstrated strong capabilities in processing wireless signals, enabling automatic modulation classification (AMC). However, existing AI-based AMC methods often produce unreliable predictions and lack robustness to out-of-distribution (OOD) inputs, which limits their deployment in real-world scenarios. This study aims to address the gap in simulations to real deployments by fitting predictions to OOD scenarios. We propose an uncertainty-aware AMC framework based on supervised contrastive learning (SupCon). The proposed framework aims to enhance classification reliability, particularly under OOD conditions. In this framework, a ResNet-based representation learning model that consists of a feature extractor and a projection head is first trained using a combination of SupCon loss and cross-entropy (CE) loss to produce class-discriminative embeddings. By decoupling the shared representation learning model from task-specific classifiers, the framework enables a modular and computationally efficient uncertainty estimation strategy, avoiding redundant computation during inference. The learned embeddings are then processed by a set of class-wise binary classifiers that provide both classification and sample-wise uncertainty estimates. A rejection mechanism is incorporated to improve decision reliability by discarding uncertain predictions. We evaluate the proposed framework on the RadioML 2018 dataset. Experimental results show that our approach significantly improves representation quality and classification reliability compared to conventional supervised learning. Specifically, the classification accuracy increases from 63.7% to 93.6% under in-distribution conditions, and from 30.8% to 92.5% under 50% OOD contamination, while maintaining over 85% recall on accepted predictions. Han Zhang 0055, Mohammad Farzanullah, Akram Bin Sediq, Ali Afana, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
IEEE Trans. Commun. | 1 |
| 2025 | Generative AI-Enabled Blockage Prediction for Robust Dual-Band mmWave CommunicationabstractIn mmWave wireless networks, signal blockages present a significant challenge due to the susceptibility to environmental moving obstructions. Recently, the availability of visual data has been leveraged to enhance blockage prediction accuracy in mmWave networks. In this work, we propose a Vision Transformer (ViT)-based approach for visual-aided blockage prediction that intelligently switches between mmWave and Sub-6 GHz frequencies to maximize network throughput and maintain reliable connectivity. Given the computational demands of processing visual data, we implement our solution within a hierarchical fog-cloud computing architecture, where fog nodes collaborate with cloud servers to efficiently manage computational tasks. This structure incorporates a generative AI-based compression technique that significantly reduces the volume of visual data transmitted between fog nodes and cloud centers. Our proposed method is tested with the real-world DeepSense 6G dataset, and according to the simulation results, it achieves a blockage prediction accuracy of$\mathbf{9 2. 7 8 \%}$while reducing bandwidth usage by 70.31 %. Mohammad Ghassemi, Han Zhang 0055, Ali Afana, Akram Bin Sediq, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
ICC | 2 |
| 2025 | Conditional Denoising Diffusion for ISAC Enhanced Channel Estimation in Cell-Free 6GabstractCell-free Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) aims to revolutionize 6th Generation (6G) networks. By combining distributed access points with ISAC capabilities, it boosts spectral efficiency, situational awareness, and communication reliability. Channel estimation is a critical step in cell-free ISAC systems to ensure reliable communication, but its performance is usually limited by challenges such as pilot contamination and noisy channel estimates. This paper presents a novel framework leveraging sensing information as a key input within a Conditional Denoising Diffusion Model (CDDM). In this framework, we integrate CDDM with a Multimodal Transformer (MMT) to enhance channel estimation in ISAC-enabled cell-free systems. The MMT encoder effectively captures inter-modal relationships between sensing and location data, enabling the CDDM to iteratively denoise and refine channel estimates. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves significant performance gains. As compared with Least Squares (LS) and Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE) estimators, the proposed model achieves normalized mean squared error (NMSE) improvements of 8 dB and 9 dB, respectively. Moreover, we achieve a 27.8% NMSE improvement compared to the traditional denoising diffusion model (TDDM), which does not incorporate sensing channel information. Additionally, the model exhibits higher robustness against pilot contamination and maintains high accuracy under challenging conditions, such as low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). According to the simulation results, the model performs well for users near sensing targets by leveraging the correlation between sensing and communication channels. Mohammad Farzanullah, Han Zhang 0055, Akram Bin Sediq, Ali Afana, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
PIMRC | 2 |
| 2025 | Foundation Model-Aided Deep Reinforcement Learning for RIS-Assisted Wireless CommunicationabstractReconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) have emerged as a promising technology for enhancing wireless communication by dynamically controlling signal propagation in the environment. However, their efficient deployment relies on accurate channel state information (CSI), which leads to high channel estimation overhead due to their passive nature and the large number of reflective elements. In this work, we solve this challenge by proposing a novel framework that leverages a pre-trained open-source foundation model (FM) named large wireless model (LWM) to process wireless channels and generate versatile and contextualized channel embeddings. These embeddings are then used for the joint optimization of the BS beamforming and RIS configurations. To be more specific, for joint optimization, we design a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) model to automatically select the BS beamforming vector and RIS phase-shift matrix, aiming to maximize the spectral efficiency (SE). This work shows that a pre-trained FM for radio signal understanding can be fine-tuned and integrated with DRL for effective decision-making in wireless networks. It highlights the potential of modality-specific FMs in real-world network optimization. According to the simulation results, the proposed method outperforms the DRL-based approach and beam sweeping-based approach, achieving 9.89% and 43.66% higher SE, respectively. Mohammad Ghassemi, Sara Farrag Mobarak, Han Zhang 0055, Ali Afana, Akram Bin Sediq, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
PIMRC | 3 |
| 2025 | Mobile Traffic Prediction Using LLMs With Efficient In-Context Demonstration SelectionabstractMobile traffic prediction is an important enabler for optimizing resource allocation and improving energy efficiency in mobile wireless networks. Building on the advanced contextual understanding and generative capabilities of large language models (LLMs), this work introduces a context-aware wireless traffic prediction framework powered by LLMs. To further enhance prediction accuracy, we leverage in-context learning (ICL) and develop a novel two-step demonstration selection strategy, optimizing the performance of LLM-based predictions. The initial step involves selecting ICL demonstrations using the effectiveness rule, followed by a second step that determines whether the chosen demonstrations should be utilized, based on the informativeness rule. We also provide an analytical framework for both informativeness and effectiveness rules. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated with a real-world fifth-generation (5G) dataset with different application scenarios. According to the numerical results, the proposed framework shows lower mean squared error and higherR2-Scores compared to the zero-shot prediction method and other demonstration selection methods, such as constant ICL demonstration selection and distance-only-based ICL demonstration selection. Han Zhang 0055, Akram Bin Sediq, Ali Afana, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
IEEE Trans. Commun. | 1 |
| 2025 | Intelligent Attacks and Defense Methods in Federated Learning-Enabled Energy-Efficient Wireless NetworksabstractFederated learning (FL) is a promising technique for learning-based functions in wireless networks, thanks to its distributed implementation capability. On the other hand, distributed learning may increase the risk of exposure to malicious attacks where attacks on a local model may spread to other models by parameter exchange. Meanwhile, such attacks can be hard to detect due to the dynamic wireless environment, especially considering local models can be heterogeneous with non-independent and identically distributed (non-IID) data. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the effect of malicious attacks and develop advanced defense techniques for FL-enabled wireless networks. In this work, we introduce a federated deep reinforcement learning-based cell sleep control scenario that enhances the energy efficiency of the network. We propose multiple intelligent attacks targeting the learning-based approach and we propose defense methods to mitigate such attacks. In particular, we have designed two attack models, generative adversarial network (GAN)-enhanced model poisoning attack and regularization-based model poisoning attack. As a counteraction, we have proposed two defense schemes, autoencoder-based defense, and knowledge distillation (KD)-enabled defense. The autoencoder-based defense method leverages an autoencoder to identify the malicious participants and only aggregate the parameters of benign local models during the global aggregation, while KD-based defense protects the model from attacks by controlling the knowledge transferred between the global model and local models. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed attacks can degrade the network performance by 34% and 77%, and lead to lower throughput and energy efficiency. On the other hand, our proposed defense schemes can effectively protect the system from attacks. The system performance can be recovered to approximately 95% of a secure system by using the proposed KD-based defense. Han Zhang 0055, Hao Zhou 0013, Medhat H. M. Elsayed, Majid Bavand, Raimundas Gaigalas, Yigit Ozcan, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
IEEE Trans. Wirel. Commun. | 1 |
| 2024 | Generative AI Empowered LiDAR Point Cloud Generation with Multimodal TransformerabstractIntegrated sensing and communications is a key enabler for the 6G wireless communication systems. The multiple sensing modalities will allow the base station to have a more accurate representation of the environment, leading to context-aware communications. Some widely equipped sensors such as cameras and RADAR sensors can provide some environmental perceptions. However, they are not enough to generate precise environmental representations, especially in adverse weather conditions. On the other hand, the LiDAR sensors provide more accurate representations, however, their widespread adoption is hindered by their high cost. This paper proposes a novel approach to enhance the wireless communication systems by synthesizing LiDAR point clouds from images and RADAR data. Specifically, it uses a multimodal transformer architecture and pre-trained encoding models to enable an accurate LiDAR generation. The proposed framework is evaluated on the DeepSense 6G dataset, which is a real-world dataset curated for context-aware wireless applications. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach in accurately generating LiDAR point clouds. We achieve a modified mean squared error of 10.39 with {256, 128, 64, 64} convolutional filters in the LiDAR decoder, as compared to 38.58 achieved for the all-zeroes benchmark. Visual examination of the images indicates that our model can successfully capture the majority of structures present in the LiDAR point cloud for diverse environments. By integrating LiDAR synthesis with existing sensing modalities, our method can enhance the performance of various wireless applications, including beam and blockage prediction. Mohammad Farzanullah, Han Zhang 0055, Akram Bin Sediq, Ali Afana, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
GLOBECOM | 2 |
| 2024 | Large Language Models in Wireless Application Design: In-Context Learning-enhanced Automatic Network Intrusion DetectionabstractLarge language models (LLMs), especially generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs), have recently demonstrated outstanding ability in information comprehension and problem-solving. This has motivated many studies in applying LLMs to wireless communication networks. In this paper, we propose a pre-trained LLM-empowered framework to perform fully automatic network intrusion detection. Three in-context learning methods are designed and compared to enhance the performance of LLMs. With experiments on a real network intrusion detection dataset, in-context learning proves to be highly beneficial in improving the task processing performance in a way that no further training or fine-tuning of LLMs is required. We show that for GPT-4, testing accuracy and F1-Score can be improved by 90%. Moreover, pre-trained LLMs demonstrate big potential in performing wireless communication-related tasks. Specifically, the proposed framework can reach an accuracy and F1-Score of over 95% on different types of attacks with GPT-4 using only 10 in-context learning examples. Han Zhang 0055, Akram Bin Sediq, Ali Afana, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
GLOBECOM | 1 |
| 2024 | Federated Learning with Dual Attention for Robust Modulation Classification under AttacksabstractFederated learning (FL) allows distributed partic-ipants to train machine learning models in a decentralized manner. It can be used for radio signal classification with multiple receivers due to its benefits in terms of privacy and scalability. However, the existing FL algorithms usually suffer from slow and unstable convergence and are vulnerable to poisoning attacks from malicious participants. In this work, we aim to design a versatile FL framework that simultaneously promotes the performance of the model both in a secure system and under attack. To this end, we leverage attention mechanisms as a defense against attacks in FL and propose a robust FL algorithm by integrating the attention mechanisms into the global model aggregation step. To be more specific, two attention models are combined to calculate the amount of attention cast on each participant. It will then be used to determine the weights of local models during the global aggregation. The proposed algorithm is verified on a real-world dataset and it outperforms existing algorithms, both in secure systems and in systems under data poisoning attacks. Han Zhang 0055, Medhat H. M. Elsayed, Majid Bavand, Raimundas Gaigalas, Yigit Ozcan, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
ICC | 1 |
| 2022 | Federated Deep Reinforcement Learning for Resource Allocation in O-RAN SlicingabstractRecently, open radio access network (O-RAN) has become a promising technology to provide an open environment for network vendors and operators. Coordinating the x-applications (xAPPs) is critical to increase flexibility and guarantee high overall network performance in O-RAN. Meanwhile, federated reinforcement learning has been proposed as a promising technique to enhance the collaboration among distributed reinforcement learning agents and improve learning efficiency. In this paper, we propose a federated deep reinforcement learning algorithm to coordinate multiple independent xAPPs in O-RAN for network slicing. We design two xAPPs, namely a power control xAPP and a slice-based resource allocation xAPP, and we use a federated learning model to coordinate two xAPP agents to enhance learning efficiency and improve network performance. Compared with conventional deep reinforcement learning, our proposed algorithm can achieve 11% higher throughput for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) slices and 33% lower delay for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) slices. Han Zhang 0055, Hao Zhou 0013, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
GLOBECOM | 1 |
| 2022 | Team Learning-Based Resource Allocation for Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)abstractRecently, the concept of open radio access network (O-RAN) has been proposed, which aims to adopt intelligence and openness in the next generation radio access networks (RAN). It provides standardized interfaces and the ability to host network applications from third-party vendors by x-applications (xAPPs), which enables higher flexibility for network management. However, this may lead to conflicts in network function implementations, especially when these functions are implemented by different vendors. In this paper, we aim to mitigate the conflicts between xAPPs for near-real-time (near-RT) radio intelligent controller (RIC) of O-RAN. In particular, we propose a team learning algorithm to enhance the performance of the network by increasing cooperation between xAPPs. We compare the team learning approach with independent deep Q-learning where network functions individually optimize resources. Our simulations show that team learning has better network performance under various user mobility and traffic loads. With 6 Mbps traffic load and 20 m/s user movement speed, team learning achieves 8% higher throughput and 64.8% lower PDR. Han Zhang 0055, Hao Zhou 0013, Melike Erol-Kantarci |
ICC | 1 |