Reliability and Availability Modeling Techniques in 6G IoT Networks: A Taxonomy and Survey

This paper investigates the reliability assessment and availability prediction techniques used in modeling of advanced (next generation) wireless communication networks. The 5G, 5G+, beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G communication technologies are leading to emerging applications of wireless communication that use cloud computing, edge computing, and fog computing. In the last decade, various user-centric and service-oriented networks such as internet of things (IoT), smart cities, smart homes, smart grids, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have been deployed that use technologies such as network function virtualization (NVF), software defined networking (SDN), and 5G. This has led to proliferation of IoT devices and IoT applications in various critical usage systems such as intelligent transportation systems, smart healthcare, and e-commerce. The availability and reliability of wireless connectivity in IoT devices and nodes is of significant importance as unavailability of nodes or end-user devices even for a millisecond could cause failure of healthcare systems or lead to malfunction of connected and autonomous vehicles, or compromise the smart grids power generation and distribution, leading to fatal outcomes.