Low-Latency MAC Design for Pairwise Random Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel low-latency MAC scheme for pairwise random wireless networks that eliminates collision-related delays, improving spectrum efficiency for URLLC in unlicensed bands.

Contribution

The paper proposes a collision resolution-based MAC scheme using geometric sequence decomposition, removing the need for carrier sensing and back-off procedures.

Findings

Significant reduction in access delay compared to existing MAC protocols.

Improved spectrum utilization and efficiency in synchronized time-slotted systems.

Effective collision management enabling ultra-reliable low latency communications.

Abstract

Feasibility of using unlicensed spectrum for ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC) is still a question for beyond 5G wireless networks. Low latency access to the channel and efficiently sharing spectrum among the multiple users are the main requirements for exploiting unlicensed spectrum for URLLC. Listen before talk and back-off procedures implemented to avoid the collisions in channel access hinder the low latency communication. In this paper, we propose a novel low-latency medium access control (MAC) scheme based on the collision resolution for a pairwise random wireless network. We use geometric sequence decomposition for collision resolution among the competing users. This enables the system to tackle collisions and thus removing the need for carrier sensing and back-off procedures. This saves time in obtaining access to the channel and improves the efficiency of the system. We implement our approach in the synchronized time slotted system and show that it yields significant improvement over existing MAC schemes.