Advancing NB-IoT Communication: Performance Analysis and Novel Gap-Aware Hybrid Scheduling for Delay-Sensitive Devices

Abstract

The explosive growth of Internet of Things (IoT) applications has driven the development of specialized communication technologies to cater to diverse device needs. Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is a promising low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology designed to support massive machine-type communication (MTC) with tolerant delay transmission. However, MTC presents new challenges for NB-IoT, especially in meeting the very low latency and high reliability requirements. It is important to understand which techniques, such as scheduling and resource allocation, enable low-delay applications to meet their goals. To accomplish these tasks, this paper uses realistic simulations within a variety of traffic scenarios, focusing on scheduling uplink data and resource allocation management. We discuss (1) the components contributing to the Quality of Service (QoS) for NB-IoT devices, (2) evaluate the performance of prioritized scheduling schemes and resource unit (RU) configuration for uplink transmission modes, point out potential improvements to reduce the latency for delay-sensitive devices, and (3) implement and evaluate a novel hybrid scheduling solution called the Gap Aware Hybrid Scheduling (GAHUS) Algorithm. We have developed a solution to enhance network efficiency and prioritize sensitive-delay devices to meet their QoS requirements. Using methods like simulations, comparisons, and performance evaluations, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach in assigning free resource gaps created during long uplink transmissions. GAHUS enables handling massive MTC traffic while ensuring reliable performance for delay-sensitive devices by minimizing rejections and delays.