An Energy-Based Load Balancing Scheme for Secure Computation Offloading in Cell-Free Massive MIMO Systems

In light of the decentralized architecture inherent in cell-free massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)-enabled mobile edge computing networks, a novel computational task offloading scheme, denoted as Joint Security and Energy-based Load Balancing (JSEON), is proposed. Distinguished from existing studies of only combating passive eavesdropper, two different schemes are integrated to combat the eavesdropper for passive eavesdropping in uplink offloaded task transmission and pilot contamination attack (PCA) in downlink post-data transmission. In an endeavor to refine the portrayal of load-balancing effectiveness within access points equipped with independent edge servers (AP-ES), a novel performance metric termed the energy-based load imbalance degree (e-LoBaR) is introduced. Additionally, this study unveils a pioneering security and energy-based load-balancing (SEAGOING) algorithm, which concurrently optimizes the matching relationships between user equipment (UE) and AP-ESs, the task offloading ratio, and the jamming strategy to verify the effectiveness of proposed JSEON scheme, which can enhance security in a more load-balanced manner. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm effectively mitigates eavesdropping threats in both uplink and downlink transmissions while improving AP-ES load balancing compared to benchmark schemes.