An evaluation of the coverage region for downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) based on Power Allocation Factor

Abstract

Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) is known as one of the promising techniques in the fifth generation of wireless communication. The classification of users in (NOMA) is based on power, while it is based on time, frequency and code in Orthogonal Multiple Access (OMA). In this study the downlink NOMA includes two users, one strong and one weak. The comparison of NOMA and OMA properties shows a range of Power Allocation Factors (PAF) for the two users within which NOMA properties have proved to be better than OMA. It was also shown that the achieved PAF is a function of channel gains of two users. Then, the coverage region is defined for multiple access channel; and by considering the Base Station (BS) as a fixed one in the center of the cell, the coverage region for both NOMA and OMA is calculated. The theoretical and analytical results show that the achieved coverage region of NOMA for both weak and strong users has been increased compared to OMA.