Rate-Splitting Multiple Access with Finite Blocklength for Short-Packet and Low-Latency Downlink Communications

Rate-Splitting Multiple Access (RSMA) is an emerging flexible and powerful multiple access for downlink multi-antenna networks. In this paper, we introduce the concept of RSMA into short-packet downlink communications. We design optimal linear precoders that maximize the Weighted Sum Rate (WSR) with Finite Blocklength (FBL) constraints. The relations between the WSR and blocklength of RSMA are investigated for a wide range of network loads and user deployments. Numerical results demonstrate that RSMA can achieve the same transmission rate as Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) and Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA) with shorter blocklengths (and therefore lower latency), especially in overloaded multi-antenna networks. Hence, we conclude that RSMA is a promising multiple access for low-latency communications.