Exploiting capture and interference cancellation for uplink random multiple access in 5G millimeter-wave networks

The forthcoming 5G technology aims to provide massive device connectivity and ultra-high capacity with reduced latency and costs. These features will be enabled by increasing the density of the base stations, using millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands, massive multiple-input multiple-output systems, and non-orthogonal multiple access techniques. The ability to support a large number of terminals in a small area is in fact a great challenge to guarantee massive access. In this context, this paper proposes a new receiver model for the uplink of 5G mmWave cellular networks. The receiver, called Iterative Decoding and Interference Cancellation (IDIC), is based on the Slotted Aloha (SA) protocol and exploits the capture effect alongside the successive IC process to resolve packet collisions. A 5G propagation scenario, modeled according to recent mmWave channel measurements, is used to compare IDIC with the widely adopted Contention Resolution Diversity SA (CRDSA) scheme to show the performance gain of IDIC, when elements of practical relevance, like imperfect cancellation and receive power diversity, are considered. The impact of packet and power diversity is also investigated to derive the preferable uplink random access strategy that maximizes the system throughput according to the offered channel load.