A Comprehensive Survey of Machine Learning Applied to Resource Allocation in Wireless Communications

Telecommunications play a pivotal role in shaping today’s interconnected world by fostering global development, supporting seamless information exchange across vast distances, and revolutionizing the interactions between individuals, businesses, and governments. Accessible and reliable communication networks transcend geographical barriers, promoting economic growth, the dissemination of knowledge, and societal connectivity. The integration of artificial intelligence into telecommunications has been transformative, revolutionizing the entire industry by improving system efficiency, allowing new services, and reducing complexity. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, telecommunication operators analyze vast data sets to gain insights into customer behavior, network performance, and market trends. This data-driven approach enhances service efficiency, leading to optimized network deployment, improved customer experience, and targeted marketing strategies. Machine learning’s impact extends to resource allocation optimization. Intelligent management of network resources reduces latency, congestion, and downtime, ensuring enhanced user experiences and increased overall network capacity. This optimization is vital for integrating emerging technologies like the Internet of Things and future generations of mobile systems and promoting sustainability by reducing energy consumption, contributing to a greener future. As technology evolves, the synergy between telecommunications and artificial intelligence will pave the way for a more connected, intelligent, and prosperous future. Given the relevance of this research topic, this paper presents a comprehensive survey of machine learning techniques applied to resource allocation in wireless communication systems. The objective is to guide the scientific and industrial community in the optimized selection of machine learning techniques according to network demands and network resource allocation to be refined. Additionally, it aims to encourage an in-depth discussion regarding the limitations presented in the current literature and future challenges for researchers.