Mean Field-based Dynamic Backoff Optimization for MIMO-enabled Grant-Free NOMA in Massive IoT Networks

In the 6G Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, unprecedented challenges will be raised to provide massive connectivity, ultra-low latency, and energy efficiency for ultra-dense IoT devices. To address these challenges, we explore the non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) based grant-free random access (GFRA) schemes in the cellular uplink to support massive IoT devices with high spectrum efficiency and low access latency. In particular, we focus on optimizing the backoff strategy of each device when transmitting time-sensitive data samples to a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-enabled base station subject to energy constraints. To cope with the dynamic varied channel and the severe uplink interference due to the uncoordinated grant-free access, we formulate the optimization problem as a multi-user non-cooperative dynamic stochastic game (MUN-DSG). To avoid dimensional disaster as the device number grows large, the optimization problem is transformed into a mean field game (MFG), and its Nash equilibrium can be achieved by solving the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) and Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov (FPK) equations. Thus, a Mean Field-based Dynamic Backoff (MFDB) scheme is proposed as the optimal GFRA solution for each device. Extensive simulation has been fulfilled to compare the proposed MFDB with contemporary random access approaches like access class barring (ACB), slotted-Additive Links On-line Hawaii Area (ALOHA), and minimum backoff (MB) under both static and dynamic channels, and the results proved that MFDB can achieve the least access delay and cumulated cost during multiple transmission frames. Keywords: 6G; Internet of Things; grant-free random access; NOMA; dynamic backoff

Truncated Beam Sweeping for Spatial Covariance Matrix Reconstruction in Hybrid Massive MIMO

Spatial covariance matrix (SCM) is essential in many applications of multi-antenna systems such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). For massive MIMO operating at millimeter-wave bands, hybrid analog-digital structure has been adopted to reduce the cost of radio frequency (RF) chains. In this situation, signals received at the antennas are unavailable to the digital receiver, and as a consequence, traditional sample average approach cannot be used for SCM reconstruction in hybrid massive MIMO. To address this issue, beam sweeping algorithm (BSA), which can reconstruct SCM effectively in hybrid massive MIMO, has been proposed in our previous work. In this paper, a truncated BSA is further proposed for SCM reconstruction by taking into account the patterns of antenna elements in the array. Due to the directive antenna pattern, sweeping results corresponding to predetermined direction-of-angles (DOA) far from the normal direction are small and thus can be replaced by predetermined constants. At the cost of negligible performance reduction, SCM can be reconstructed efficiently by sweeping only the predetermined DOAs that are close to the normal direction. In this way, BSA can be conducted much faster than its traditional counterpart. Insightful analysis will be also included to show the impact of truncation on the performance.

Spatial Covariance Matrix Reconstruction for DOA Estimation in Hybrid Massive MIMO Systems with Multiple Radio Frequency Chains

Multiple signal classification (MUSIC) has been widely applied in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receivers for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. To reduce the cost of radio frequency (RF) chains operating at millimeter-wave bands, hybrid analog-digital structure has been adopted in massive MIMO transceivers. In this situation, the received signals at the antennas are unavailable to the digital receiver, and as a consequence, the spatial covariance matrix (SCM), which is essential in MUSIC algorithm, cannot be obtained using traditional sample average approach. Based on our previous work, we propose a novel algorithm for SCM reconstruction in hybrid massive MIMO systems with multiple RF chains. By switching the analog beamformers to a group of predetermined DOAs, SCM can be reconstructed through the solutions of a set of linear equations. In addition, based on insightful analysis on that linear equations, a low-complexity algorithm, as well as a careful selection of the predetermined DOAs, will be also presented in this paper. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms can reconstruct the SCM accurately so that MUSIC algorithm can be well used for DOA estimation in hybrid massive MIMO systems with multiple RF chains.