Connecting the Unconnectable through Feedback

TL;DR

This paper presents a feedback-based framework that significantly improves uplink connectivity for IoT devices at the cell edge by enabling dynamic transmission adaptation, boosting coverage and connection success rates without extra energy use.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel feedback channel coding scheme that allows IoT devices to adapt transmissions based on access point feedback, enhancing uplink coverage in a resource-efficient manner.

Findings

Up to 51% increase in connectable access points.

Substantial coverage extension for cell-edge IoT devices.

Validated through analytical models and numerical simulations.

Abstract

Reliable uplink connectivity remains a persistent challenge for IoT devices, particularly those at the cell edge, due to their limited transmit power and single-antenna configurations. This paper introduces a novel framework aimed at connecting the unconnectable, leveraging real-time feedback from access points (APs) to enhance uplink coverage without increasing the energy consumption of IoT devices. At the core of this approach are feedback channel codes, which enable IoT devices to dynamically adapt their transmission strategies based on AP decoding feedback, thereby reducing the critical uplink SNR required for successful communication. Analytical models are developed to quantify the coverage probability and the number of connectable APs, providing a comprehensive understanding of the system's performance. Numerical results validate the proposed method, demonstrating substantial improvements in coverage range and connectivity, particularly for devices at the cell edge, with up to a 51% boost in connectable APs. Our approach offers a robust and energy-efficient solution to overcoming uplink coverage limitations, enabling IoT networks to connect devices in challenging environments.