Joint Coherent and Non-Coherent Detection and Decoding Techniques for Heterogeneous Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified framework for the coexistence of machine-type and human-type communications in cellular networks, proposing joint detection techniques to improve signal recovery and network efficiency.

Contribution

It presents a novel transceiver design and decoding strategy enabling efficient coexistence of MTC and HTC in heterogeneous networks, addressing traffic and signal recovery challenges.

Findings

Harmonious coexistence is achievable with proper SNR and pilot configuration.

Joint decoding improves signal recovery for heterogeneous devices.

The framework enhances network efficiency for MTC and HTC coexistence.

Abstract

Cellular networks that are traditionally designed for human-type communication (HTC) have the potential to provide cost effective connectivity to machine-type communication (MTC). However, MTC is characterized by unprecedented traffic in cellular networks, thus posing a challenge to its successful incorporation. In this work, we propose a unified framework for amicable coexistence of MTC and HTC. We consider a heterogeneous network where machine-type devices coexist with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) devices and propose transceiver techniques that promote efficient signal recovery from these devices. For this, we present an eMBB pilot and MTC data generation strategy that facilitates joint coherent decoding of eMBB data and non-coherent decoding of MTC data. Furthermore, we assess the feasibility of coexistence using receiver operating characteristics, outage probability, and normalized mean square error (NMSE). Our numerical results reveal that a harmonious coexistence of the heterogeneous services can be achieved with properly configured average signal-to-noise ratios and pilot length.