Fast HARQ over Finite Blocklength Codes: A Technique for Low-Latency Reliable Communication
Journal article, 2019

This paper studies the performance of delay-constrained hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ protocols. Particularly, we propose a fast HARQ protocol where, to increase the end-to-end throughput, some HARQ feedback signals and successive message decodings are omitted. Considering quasi-static channels and a bursty communication model, we derive closed-form expressions for the message decoding probabilities as well as the throughput, the expected delay and the error probability of the HARQ setups. The analysis is based on recent results on the achievable rates of finite-length codes and shows the effect of the codeword length on the system performance. Moreover, we evaluate the effect of various parameters such as imperfect channel estimation and hardware on the system performance. As demonstrated, the proposed fast HARQ protocol reduces the packet transmission delay considerably, compared to state-of-the-art HARQ schemes. For example, with typical message decoding delay profiles and a maximum of 2,...,5 transmission rounds, the proposed fast HARQ protocol can improve the expected delay, compared to standard HARQ, by 27, 42, 52 and 60%, respectively, independently of the code rate/fading model.

Author

Behrooz Makki

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Tommy Svensson

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Giuseppe Caire

Technische Universität Berlin

Michele Zorzi

University of Padua

IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications

15361276 (ISSN) 15582248 (eISSN)

Vol. 18 1 194-209 8525430

Millimetre-Wave Based Mobile Radio Access Network for Fifth Generation Integrated Communications (mmMAGIC)

European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/671650), 2015-07-01 -- 2017-06-30.

Subject Categories

Computer Engineering

Telecommunications

Communication Systems

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

DOI

10.1109/TWC.2018.2878713

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 6