D2D-Based Grouped Random Access to Mitigate Radio Access Network Congestion in Massive Machine-Type Communications

Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) presents significant challenges in terms of the number of devices accessing the shared resource, and coordination among those devices. This paper overviews work on RAN congestion control in order to better manage resources in the context of device-to-device (D2D) interaction among the MTCDs. It then proceeds to introduce a novel grouping-assisted random access protocol for mMTC, showing beneficial performance of the concept against parameters such as group size, number of MTCDs in the overall scenario, and reliability of D2D links. Finally, the association is made with a Geolocation Database (GDB) capability to assist the grouping decisions, drawing parallels with recent regulatory-driven initiatives around GDBs, and arguing benefits of the concept.