Energy-Efficient Downlink Semantic Generative Communication with Text-to-Image Generators

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a novel semantic generative communication (SGC) framework, where generative users leverage text-to-image (T2I) generators to create images locally from downloaded text prompts, while non-generative users directly download images from a base station (BS). Although generative users help reduce downlink transmission energy at the BS, they consume additional energy for image generation and for uploading their generator state information (GSI). We formulate the problem of minimizing the total energy consumption of the BS and the users, and devise a generative user selection algorithm. Simulation results corroborate that our proposed algorithm reduces total energy by up to 54% compared to a baseline with all non-generative users.