Channel capacity and performance analysis of a buffered cellular network

We consider a cellular network equipped with a retransmission mechanism, where signal transmissions in a single cell depend on interference with simultaneous traffic in surrounding cells. In this framework, where failed signals are either retransmitted or lost, we study the channel capacity performance of a single-tier model with downlink traffic. For this purpose, a tractable model that allows for a precise theoretical analysis of coverage probability and coverage rate is developed further in multiple new directions. Specifically, we obtain the Shannon capacity in the model and introduce relevant performance measures to guide the identification of those systems that, in a precise sense, are able to process all incoming work. To emphasize the generic patterns that arise, we extend and simplify the results under a balanced densification scaling regime, which highlights that performance essentially falls into three categories: pure-loss, buffered, and no-loss systems.