A Federated Learning Framework for Resource-Constrained Environments

Abstract


This paper presents a Federated Learning Framework adapted for resource-constrained environments, focusing on IoT devices. This is the first framework that enables federated training directly on microcontrollers. The framework demonstrates the autonomy of federated nodes, validating the feasibility of training models directly on microcontrollers. Two experiments were performed, showing promising results, despite challenges inherent to the environment, such as computational limitations, communicability, and scalability. Comparisons with related frameworks, such as TensorFlow-Federated, highlight the efficiency and dynamism of the proposed solution. The paper also discusses practical insights and improvements, contributing to the advancement of decentralized learning and the evolution of the TinyML scenario.

Keywords: Federated Learning, TinyML, Microcontrollers, ESP32

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Published
2025-05-19
TOMICH, Igor L.; MAIA, Guilherme. A Federated Learning Framework for Resource-Constrained Environments. In: BRAZILIAN SYMPOSIUM ON COMPUTER NETWORKS AND DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS (SBRC), 43. , 2025, Natal/RN. Anais [...]. Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação, 2025 . p. 1022-1035. ISSN 2177-9384. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbrc.2025.6465.