Narrowband Internet of Things via Low Earth Orbit Satellite Networks: An Efficient Coverage Enhancement Mechanism Based on Stochastic Geometry Approach.

With the development of IoT technology and 5G massive machine-type communication, the 3GPP standardization body considered as viable the integration of Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based architectures. However, the presence of the LEO satellite channel comes up with new challenges for the NB-IoT random access procedures and coverage enhancement mechanism. In this paper, an Adaptive Coverage Enhancement (ACE) method is proposed to meet the requirement of random access parameter configurations for diverse applications. Based on stochastic geometry theory, an expression of random access channel (RACH) success probability is derived for LEO satellite-based NB-IoT networks. On the basis of a power consumption model of the NB-IoT terminal, a multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to trade-off RACH success probability and power consumption. To solve this multi-objective optimization problem, we employ the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithms-II (NSGA-II) method to obtain the Pareto-front solution set. According to different application requirements, we also design a random access parameter configuration method to minimize the power consumption under the constraints of RACH success probability requirements. Simulation results show that the maximum number of repetitions and back-off window size have a great influence on the system performance and their value ranges should be set within [4, 18] and [0, 2048]. The power consumption of coverage enhancement with ACE is about 58% lower than that of the 3GPP proposed model. All this research together provides good reference for the scale deployment of NB-IoT in LEO satellite networks.

Secrecy Performance Enhancement Using Self-Interference Cancellation in Wireless Mutual Broadcast Networks for Proximity-Based Services.

With the increasing demand for data exchange between nearby devices in proximity-based services, enhancing the security of wireless mutual broadcast (WMB) networks is crucial. However, WMB networks are inherently vulnerable to eavesdropping due to the open broadcast nature of their communication. This paper investigates the improvement of secrecy performance in random-access-based WMB (RA-WMB) networks by integrating physical layer security (PLS) techniques with hybrid duplex (HBD) operations under a stochastic geometry framework. The HBD method balances half-duplex (HD) receiving and full-duplex (FD) transceiving, utilizing self-interference cancellation (SIC) to enhance PLS performance. Key operational parameters, including transmission probability (TxPr), friendly jammer density, and conditions for FD operation, are designed to maximize secrecy performance. The analytical and numerical results demonstrate significant improvements in PLS performance, with SIC playing a critical role, particularly in scenarios with dense legitimate nodes, and with TxPr adjusted to balance HD receiving and FD transceiving based on SIC imperfections. The proposed design principles provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing the security of WMB networks, addressing the complex interplay of interference and SIC in various network configurations.

Federated Learning in Small-Cell Networks: Stochastic Geometry-Based Analysis on the Required Base Station Density.

Recently, federated learning (FL) has been receiving great attention as an effective machine learning method to avoid the security issue in raw data collection, as well as to distribute the computing load to edge devices. However, even though wireless communication is an essential component for implementing FL in edge networks, there have been few works that analyze the effect of wireless networks on FL. In this paper, we investigate FL in small-cell networks where multiple base stations (BSs) and users are located according to a homogeneous Poisson point process (PPP) with different densities. We comprehensively analyze the effects of geographic node deployment on the model aggregation in FL on the basis of stochastic geometry-based analysis. We derive the closed-form expressions of coverage probability with tractable approximations and discuss the minimum required BS density for achieving a target model aggregation rate in small-cell networks. Our analysis and simulation results provide insightful information for understanding the behaviors of FL in small-cell networks; these can be exploited as a guideline for designing the network facilitating wireless FL.

Research on the Total Channel Capacities Pertaining to Two Coverage Layouts for Three-Dimensional, UAV-Assisted Ad Hoc Networks.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) employed as airborne base stations (BSs) are considered the essential components in future sixth-generation wireless networks due to their mobility and line-of-sight communication links. For a UAV-assisted ad hoc network, its total channel capacity is greatly influenced by the deployment of UAV-BSs and the corresponding coverage layouts, where square and hexagonal cells are partitioned to divide the zones individual UAVs should serve. In this paper, the total channel capacities of these two kinds of coverage layouts are evaluated using our proposed novel computationally efficient channel capacity estimation scheme. The mean distance (MD) between a UAV-BS in the network and its served users as well as the MD from these users to the neighboring UAV-BSs are incorporated into the estimation of the achievable total channel capacity. We can significantly reduce the computational complexity by using a new polygon division strategy. The simulation results demonstrate that the square cell coverage layout can always lead to a superior channel capacity (with an average increase of 7.67% to be precise) to the hexagonal cell coverage layout for UAV-assisted ad hoc networks.

Modeling and Performance Analysis of Large-Scale Backscatter Communication Networks with Directional Antennas.

Backscatter communication (BackCom) constitutes intriguing technology that enables low-power devices in transmitting signals by reflecting ambient radio frequency (RF) signals that consume ultra-low energy. Applying the BackCom technique in large-scale networks with massive low-power devices can effectively address the energy issue observed in low-power devices. Prior studies only consider large-scale BackCom networks equipped with omni-directional antennas, called Omn-BackCom Net. To improve the network's performance, we employ directional antennas in large-scale BackCom networks, called Dir-BackCom Nets. This article establishes a theoretical model for analyzing the performance of Dir-BackCom Nets. The performance metrics include both connectivity and spatial throughput. Our model is genaralized for both Dir-BackCom Nets and Omn-BackCom Net. The accuracy of our theoretical model is verified by extensive simulations. Results indicate that Dir-BackCom Nets can improve connectivity and spatial throughput. Moreover, results show that the throughput can be maximized by choosing an optimal density of BTs. In addition, both the connectivity and spatial throughput of BackCom Nets can be improved by choosing a directional antenna with a proper beamwidth and gain of the main lobe. Our theoretical model and results can offer beneficial implications for constructing Dir-BackCom Nets.

Horvitz-Thompson-like estimation with distance-based detection probabilities for circular plot sampling of forests.

In circular plot sampling, trees within a given distance from the sample plot location constitute a sample, which is used to infer characteristics of interest for the forest area. If the sample is collected using a technical device located at the sampling point, eg, a terrestrial laser scanner, all trees of the sample plot cannot be observed because they hide behind each other. We propose a Horvitz-Thompson-like estimator with distance-based detection probabilities derived from stochastic geometry for estimation of population totals such as stem density and basal area in such situation. We show that our estimator is unbiased for Poisson forests and give estimates of variance and approximate confidence intervals for the estimator, unlike any previous methods. We compare the estimator to two previously published benchmark methods. The comparison is done through a simulation study where several plots are simulated either from field measured data or different marked point processes. The simulations show that the estimator produces lower or comparable error values than the other methods. In the sample plots based on the field measured data, the bias is relatively small-relative mean of errors for stem density, for example, varying from 0.3% to 2.2%, depending on the detection condition. The empirical coverage probabilities of the approximate confidence intervals are either similar to the nominal levels or conservative in these sample plots.

Brain-Inspired Data Transmission in Dense Wireless Network.

In this paper, the authors investigate the innovative concept of a dense wireless network supported by additional functionalities inspired by the human nervous system. The nervous system controls the entire human body due to reliable and energetically effective signal transmission. Among the structure and modes of operation of such an ultra-dense network of neurons and glial cells, the authors selected the most worthwhile when planning a dense wireless network. These ideas were captured, modeled in the context of wireless data transmission. The performance of such an approach have been analyzed in two ways, first, the theoretic limits of such an approach has been derived based on the stochastic geometry, in particular-based on the percolation theory. Additionally, computer experiments have been carried out to verify the performance of the proposed transmission schemes in four simulation scenarios. Achieved results showed the prospective improvement of the reliability of the wireless networks while applying proposed bio-inspired solutions and keeping the transmission extremely simple.

Interference Analysis for mmWave Automotive Radar Considering Blockage Effect.

Due to the increasing number of vehicles equipped with millimeter wave (mmWave) radars, interference among automotive radars is becoming a major issue. This paper explores the automotive radar interference in both two-lane and multi-lane scenarios using stochastic geometry. We derive closed-form expressions for mean and variance of interference power considering directional antenna with constant and Gaussian decaying gains. In view of the sensitivity of mmWave radar signals to the blockages, we propose a blockage model including partially and completely blocking, and then calculate the effective number of the interferers. By means of modeling randomness for interferers and blockages as Poisson point process, we characterize the statistics of radar interference under different conditions. We further utilize the interference characterization to estimate the successful ranging probability of automotive radars. These theoretical analyses are verified by using Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the increasing interfering density and ranging distance largely degrade the radar detection performance, whereas the interference levels decrease as blockage intensity increases.

Dynamic Divide Grouping Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in Terrestrial-Satellite Integrated Network.

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been extensively studied to improve the performance of the Terrestrial-Satellite Integrated Network (TSIN) on account of the shortage of frequency band resources. In this paper, the terrestrial network and satellite network synergistically provide complete coverage for ground users, and based on the architecture, we first formulate a constrained optimization problem to maximize the sum rate of the TSIN under the limited spectrum resources. As the terrestrial networks and the satellite network will cause interference to each other, we first investigate the capacity performance of the terrestrial networks and the satellite networks separately, in which the optimal power control factor expression is derived. Then, by constructing the relationship model between user elevation angle, beam angle and distance, we develop a dynamic group pairing schemes to ensure the effective pairing of NOMA users. Based on the user pairing, to obtain the optimal resource allocation, a joint optimization algorithm of power allocation, beam channel and base station channel resource is proposed. Finally, simulation results are provided to evaluate the user paring scheme as well as the total system performance, in comparison with the existing works.

Testing independence between two random sets for the analysis of colocalization in bioimaging.

Colocalization aims at characterizing spatial associations between two fluorescently tagged biomolecules by quantifying the co-occurrence and correlation between the two channels acquired in fluorescence microscopy. Colocalization is presented either as the degree of overlap between the two channels or the overlays of the red and green images, with areas of yellow indicating colocalization of the molecules. This problem remains an open issue in diffraction-limited microscopy and raises new challenges with the emergence of superresolution imaging, a microscopic technique awarded by the 2014 Nobel prize in chemistry. We propose GcoPS, for Geo-coPositioning System, an original method that exploits the random sets structure of the tagged molecules to provide an explicit testing procedure. Our simulation study shows that GcoPS unequivocally outperforms the best competitive methods in adverse situations (noise, irregularly shaped fluorescent patterns, and different optical resolutions). GcoPS is also much faster, a decisive advantage to face the huge amount of data in superresolution imaging. We demonstrate the performances of GcoPS on two biological real data sets, obtained by conventional diffraction-limited microscopy technique and by superresolution technique, respectively.

Radio Resource Dimensioning for Low Delay Access in Licensed OFDMA IoT Networks.

In this paper, we focus on the radio resource planning in the uplink of licensed Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The average behavior of the network is considered by assuming that active sensors and collectors are distributed according to independent random Poisson Point Process (PPP) marked by channel randomness. Our objective is to statistically determine the optimal total number of Radio Resources (RRs) required for a typical cell. On one hand, the allocated bandwidth should be sufficiently large to support the traffic of the devices and to guarantee a low access delay. On the other hand, the over-dimensioning is costly from an operator point of view and induces spectrum wastage. For this sake, we propose statistical tools derived from stochastic geometry to evaluate, adjust and adapt the allocated bandwidth according to the network parameters, namely the required Quality of Service (QoS) in terms of rate and access delay, the density of the active sensors, the collector intensities, the antenna configurations and the transmission modes. The optimal total number of RRs required for a typical cell is then calculated by jointly considering the constraints of low access delay, limited power per RR, target data rate and network outage probability. Different types of networks are considered including Single Input Single Output (SISO) systems, Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) systems using antenna selection or Maximum Ratio Combiner (MRC), and Multiuser Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) systems using Zero-Forcing decoder.

A Spatio-Temporal Exposure-Hazard Model for Assessing Biological Risk and Impact.

We developed a simulation model for quantifying the spatio-temporal distribution of contaminants (e.g., xenobiotics) and assessing the risk of exposed populations at the landscape level. The model is a spatio-temporal exposure-hazard model based on (i) tools of stochastic geometry (marked polygon and point processes) for structuring the landscape and describing the exposed individuals, (ii) a dispersal kernel describing the dissemination of contaminants from polygon sources, and (iii) an (eco)toxicological equation describing the toxicokinetics and dynamics of contaminants in affected individuals. The model was implemented in the briskaR package (biological risk assessment with R) of the R software. This article presents the model background, the use of the package in an illustrative example, namely, the effect of genetically modified maize pollen on nontarget Lepidoptera, and typical comparisons of landscape configurations that can be carried out with our model (different configurations lead to different mortality rates in the treated example). In real case studies, parameters and parametric functions encountered in the model will have to be precisely specified to obtain realistic measures of risk and impact and accurate comparisons of landscape configurations. Our modeling framework could be applied to study other risks related to agriculture, for instance, pathogen spread in crops or livestock, and could be adapted to cope with other hazards such as toxic emissions from industrial areas having health effects on surrounding populations. Moreover, the R package has the potential to help risk managers in running quantitative risk assessments and testing management strategies.

Joint Optimization of Interference Coordination Parameters and Base-Station Density for Energy-Efficient Heterogeneous Networks.

Heterogeneous networks (HetNets), consisting of macro-cells and overlaying pico-cells, have been recognized as a promising paradigm to support the exponential growth of data traffic demands and high network energy efficiency (EE). However, for two-tier heterogeneous architecture deployment of HetNets, the inter-tier interference will be challenging. Time domain further-enhanced inter-cell interference coordination (FeICIC) proposed in 3GPP Release-11 becomes necessary to mitigate the inter-tier interference by applying low power almost blank subframe (ABS) scheme. Therefore, for HetNets deployment in reality, the pico-cell range expansion (CRE) bias, the power of ABS and the density of pico base stations (PBSs) are three important factors for the network EE improvement. Aiming to improve the network EE, the above three factors are jointly considered in this paper. In particular, we first derive the closed-form expression of the network EE as a function of pico CRE bias, power reduction factor of low power ABS and PBS density based on stochastic geometry model. Then, the approximate relationship between pico CRE bias and power reduction factor is deduced, followed by a linear search algorithm to get the near-optimal pico CRE bias and power reduction factor together at a given PBS density. Next, a linear search algorithm is further proposed to optimize PBS density based on fixed pico CRE bias and power reduction factor. Due to the fact that the above pico CRE bias and power reduction factor optimization and PBS density optimization are optimized separately, a heuristic algorithm is further proposed to optimize pico CRE bias, power reduction factor and PBS density jointly to achieve global network EE maximization. Numerical simulation results show that our proposed heuristic algorithm can significantly enhance the network EE while incurring low computational complexity.

K-Means Spreading Factor Allocation for Large-Scale LoRa Networks.

Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) are emerging rapidly as a fundamental Internet of Things (IoT) technology because of their low-power consumption, long-range connectivity, and ability to support massive numbers of users. With its high growth rate, Long-Range (LoRa) is becoming the most adopted LPWAN technology. This research work contributes to the problem of LoRa spreading factor (SF) allocation by proposing an algorithm on the basis of K-means clustering. We assess the network performance considering the outage probabilities of a large-scale unconfirmed-mode class-A LoRa Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) model, without retransmissions. The proposed algorithm allows for different user distribution over SFs, thus rendering SF allocation flexible. Such distribution translates into network parameters that are application dependent. Simulation results consider different network scenarios and realistic parameters to illustrate how the distance from the gateway and the number of nodes in each SF affects transmission reliability. Theoretical and simulation results show that our SF allocation approach improves the network's average coverage probability up to 5 percentage points when compared to the baseline model. Moreover, our results show a fairer network operation where the performance difference between the best- and worst-case nodes is significantly reduced. This happens because our method seeks to equalize the usage of each SF. We show that the worst-case performance in one deployment scenario can be enhanced by 1 . 53 times.

The structure of tropical forests and sphere packings.

The search for simple principles underlying the complex architecture of ecological communities such as forests still challenges ecological theorists. We use tree diameter distributions--fundamental for deriving other forest attributes--to describe the structure of tropical forests. Here we argue that tree diameter distributions of natural tropical forests can be explained by stochastic packing of tree crowns representing a forest crown packing system: a method usually used in physics or chemistry. We demonstrate that tree diameter distributions emerge accurately from a surprisingly simple set of principles that include site-specific tree allometries, random placement of trees, competition for space, and mortality. The simple static model also successfully predicted the canopy structure, revealing that most trees in our two studied forests grow up to 30-50 m in height and that the highest packing density of about 60% is reached between the 25- and 40-m height layer. Our approach is an important step toward identifying a minimal set of processes responsible for generating the spatial structure of tropical forests.

Energy Efficient Pico Cell Range Expansion and Density Joint Optimization for Heterogeneous Networks with eICIC.

Heterogeneous networks, constituted by conventional macro cells and overlaying pico cells, have been deemed a promising paradigm to support the deluge of data traffic with higher spectral efficiency and Energy Efficiency (EE). In order to deploy pico cells in reality, the density of Pico Base Stations (PBSs) and the pico Cell Range Expansion (CRE) are two important factors for the network spectral efficiency as well as EE improvement. However, associated with the range and density evolution, the inter-tier interference within the heterogeneous architecture will be challenging, and the time domain Enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) technique becomes necessary. Aiming to improve the network EE, the above factors are jointly considered in this paper. More specifically, we first derive the closed-form expression of the network EE as a function of the density of PBSs and pico CRE bias based on stochastic geometry theory, followed by a linear search algorithm to optimize the pico CRE bias and PBS density, respectively. Moreover, in order to realize the pico CRE bias and PBS density joint optimization, a heuristic algorithm is proposed to achieve the network EE maximization. Numerical simulations show that our proposed pico CRE bias and PBS density joint optimization algorithm can improve the network EE significantly with low computational complexity.

Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access for Ubiquitous Wireless Sensor Networks.

Ubiquitous wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) have become a critical technology for enabling smart cities and other ubiquitous monitoring applications. Their deployment, however, can be seriously hampered by the spectrum available to the sheer number of sensors for communication. To support the communication needs of UWSNs without requiring more spectrum resources, the power-domain non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technique originally proposed for 5th Generation (5G) cellular networks is investigated for UWSNs for the first time in this paper. However, unlike 5G networks that operate in the licensed spectrum, UWSNs mostly operate in unlicensed spectrum where sensors also experience cross-technology interferences from other devices sharing the same spectrum. In this paper, we model the interferences from various sources at the sensors using stochastic geometry framework. To evaluate the performance, we derive a theorem and present new closed form expression for the outage probability of the sensors in a downlink scenario under interference limited environment. In addition, diversity analysis for the ordered NOMA users is performed. Based on the derived outage probability, we evaluate the average link throughput and energy consumption efficiency of NOMA against conventional orthogonal multiple access (OMA) technique in UWSNs. Further, the required computational complexity for the NOMA users is presented.

Spatial pattern analysis of line-segment data in ecology.

The spatial analysis of linear features (lines and curves) is a challenging and rarely attempted problem in ecology. Existing methods are typically expressed in abstract mathematical formalism, making it difficult to assess their relevance and transferability into an ecological setting. We introduce a set of concrete and accessible methods to analyze the spatial patterning of line-segment data. The methods include Monte Carlo techniques based on a new generalization of Ripley's K -function and a class of line-segment processes that can be used to specify parametric models: parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood and models compared using information-theoretic principles. We apply the new methods to fallen tree (dead log) data collected from two 1-ha Australian tall eucalypt forest plots. Our results show that the spatial pattern of the fallen logs is best explained by plot-level spatial heterogeneity in combination with a slope-dependent nonuniform distribution of fallen-log orientations. These methods are of a general nature and are applicable to any line-segment data. In the context of forest ecology, the integration of fallen logs as linear structural features in a landscape with the point locations of living trees, and a quantification of their interactions, can yield new insights into the functional and structural role of tree fall in forest communities and their enduring post-mortem ecological legacy as spatially distributed decomposing logs.

The chord-length distribution of a polyhedron.

The chord-length distribution function [γ''(r)] of any bounded polyhedron has a closed analytic expression which changes in the different subdomains of the r range. In each of these, the γ''(r) expression only involves, as transcendental contributions, inverse trigonometric functions of argument equal to R[r, Δ1], Δ1 being the square root of a second-degree r polynomial and R[x, y] a rational function. As r approaches δ, one of the two end points of an r subdomain, the derivative of γ''(r) can only show singularities of the forms |r - δ|-n and |r - δ|-m+1/2, with n and m appropriate positive integers. Finally, the explicit analytic expressions of the primitives are also reported.

Poisson-Delaunay Mosaics of Order k.

The order-k Voronoi tessellation of a locally finite set X ⊆ R n decomposes R n into convex domains whose points have the same k nearest neighbors in X. Assuming X is a stationary Poisson point process, we give explicit formulas for the expected number and total area of faces of a given dimension per unit volume of space. We also develop a relaxed version of discrete Morse theory and generalize by counting only faces, for which the k nearest points in X are within a given distance threshold.