Analytical Modeling of Mode Selection for UE-To-Network Relay Enabled Cellular Networks with Power Control

UE-to-Network relay enables the user equipments (UEs) to provide relay assistance for other UEs located in close proximity. Thus, UEs, especially cell-edge UEs can obtain a better connectivity experience. In this paper, we consider the scenario where UEs can communicate with base stations (BSs) in the direct mode or in the UE-to-Network relay mode. We propose a tractable analytical framework for a UE-to-Network relay enabled uplink cellular network and investigate a flexible mode selection scheme. We leverage stochastic geometry to study the transmission power consumption, relay probability and outage probability. The analysis reveals that UE-to-Network relay is capable of reducing power consumption. Simulation results show the accuracy of our theoretical analysis and demonstrate that the proposed framework can reduce the outage probability. As a result, this paper provides guidelines for mode selection scheme in UE-to-Network relay enabled networks.