Performance Analysis of Smart Grids-Oriented C-RAN-URLLC Networks under Unlicensed Spectrum

In this paper, we employ the cloud-radio access network (C-RAN) architecture to support the electricity sensors (ESs) with ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) requirements in smart grids. Our study specifically addresses scenarios involving unlicensed spectrum and imperfect channel knowledge, with a focus on evaluating the ESs’ rate performance under listen-before-talk (LST) operations. Utilizing the use-and-then-forget bounding technique in conjunction with finite blocklength capacity theory, we derive a closed-form expression for the achievable rate. This expression facilitates a comprehensive analysis of the impact of LBT across various system configurations. The theoretical findings are validated through extensive simulations, providing significant insights into the performance of ESs in the considered C-RAN-URLLC framework.