EeCA: A Novel Approach for Energy Conservation in MEC via NDN-Based Content Caching

In the context of escalating demands on wireless networks owing to the widespread application of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), enhancing network performance and user experience through the convergence of Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) and Information-Centric Networking (ICN) has become a critical research focus. This paper proposes a novel Energy-efficient Caching Algorithm (EeCA) based on Named Data Networking (NDN), a specific implementation of ICN. This NDN-based caching strategy extends local caching in MEC networks and enhances the overall network performance by considering the multitude of repeated computational tasks and the residual energy of low-energy devices. The EeCA aims to reduce redundant offloading of tasks across the entire network, contributing to energy savings, and reducing overall system costs. Simulations reveal superior performance of EeCA compared to four other caching methods, specifically in terms of cache hit ratio and energy consumption, making it a promising solution for network performance enhancement and energy conservation in MEC networks.