Power control optimization for uplink grant-free URLLC

Ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) presents the most challenging use cases for fifth generation (5G) mobile networks. Traditionally the focus for mobile broadband has been to optimize the system throughput for high speed data traffic. However the optimization criteria for URLLC should focus on achieving small packets transmissions under strict targets such as 99.999% reliability within 1 ms. Power control is one candidate technology component for improving reliability and latency. In this work we investigate the power control for grant-free URLLC transmissions through extensive system level simulations in a urban outdoor scenario. We initially compare different settings for open loop power control (OLPC) with full and with fractional path loss compensation. Then we evaluate whether power boosting the retransmission can reduce the probability of packets delays under the 1 ms constraint. We also discuss the practical implication of applying power boosting. With full path loss compensation and boosting retransmissions, we show that a URLLC load such as 1200 small packets per second per cell can be achieved in the considered scenario.