Resource Allocation For Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) In Unlicensed Spectrum

Abstract

Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) refers to the direct communication of a large number of devices to other devices without the involvement of a human. These communications are mostly delay-tolerant and uplink dominant. Machine type communication is provided by cellular networks which find a problem of accommodating the massive transmissions from MTC devices. Traditional resource allocation schemes are designed for cellular users and communication over licensed spectrum bands. The massive access problem can be addressed to a certain extent by technologies such as cognitive radio, random access networks, MTC device clustering, advanced antenna solutions, and data aggregation. Beyond these solutions, an additional spectrum is needed. This additional spectrum requirement necessitates a shift of some device communications to the unlicensed spectrum. This project proposes a cooperative data aggregation and a resource allocation scheme that utilizes Device to Device (D2D) communication together with the use of unlicensed spectrum to manage the massive access problem presented by mMTC devices. In scenarios of fewer resources compared to transmission requests which is often the case, the transmission follows a systematic line from the devices, to the mobile data aggregators, to the fixed data aggregators, and finally to the base station. The communication from the devices to the mobile aggregators is in unlicensed spectrum and that from mobile to fixed aggregators is a D2D communication and finally, the communication from the fixed aggregators to the base station is cellular. Results show reduced outage, improved system capacity, and energy efficiency when multiple data aggregators are used compared to schemes that rely on single data aggregators.