Low-latency Ultra Reliable 5G Communications: Finite-Blocklength Bounds and Coding Schemes

TL;DR

This paper applies finite-blocklength information theory to design ultra-reliable, low-latency 5G wireless systems, deriving bounds on data transmission and benchmarking coding schemes for autonomous systems.

Contribution

It introduces finite-blocklength bounds for multi-antenna Rayleigh channels under latency and reliability constraints, guiding optimal system design.

Findings

Derived bounds on maximum bits transmitted under strict constraints

Revealed the trade-offs between latency, bandwidth, and reliability

Benchmarking results for short packet coding schemes

Abstract

Future autonomous systems require wireless connectivity able to support extremely stringent requirements on both latency and reliability. In this paper, we leverage recent developments in the field of finite-blocklength information theory to illustrate how to optimally design wireless systems in the presence of such stringent constraints. Focusing on a multi-antenna Rayleigh block-fading channel, we obtain bounds on the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted within given bandwidth, latency, and reliability constraints, using an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system similar to LTE. These bounds unveil the fundamental interplay between latency, bandwidth, rate, and reliability. Furthermore, they suggest how to optimally use the available spatial and frequency diversity. Finally, we use our bounds to benchmark the performance of an actual coding scheme involving the transmission of short packets.