Joint Activity Detection and Channel Estimation for Massive Random Access Using SBL and SCA

Abstract

In massive machine-type communication (mMTC) applications, a key challenge is joint device activity detection and channel estimation (JADCE) under grant-free random access, as a massive number of devices with sporadic traffic seek to connect to the base station. We address JADCE for massive random access using a covariance learning-based sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) approach. Specifically, we first use the successive convex approximation (SCA) framework to partially linearize the scaled negative log-likelihood function (LLF) of the data, then minimize it to estimate the sparse vector of devices' signal powers. After identifying active devices from these power estimates, empirical Bayesian estimation is used to obtain channel estimates. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and performance superiority of the proposed CL-SCA method compared to other existing methods.

To be published in 2026 IEEE 27th International Workshop on Signal Processing and Artificial Intelligence (SPAWC), Sept. 6-9 2026, Athens, Greece. Due to page limitations, the conference submission did not have the proof present in the appendix of this ArXiv version