Accurate approximations for the symbol error probability of cooperative non-regenerative relay systems over generalized fading channels

• Published in: 2011 7th International Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing Conference pp. 906 - 911
• Main Authors: Annamalai, A., Olabiyi, O., Alam, S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.07.2011
• Subjects: amplify-and-forward relay networks; Approximation methods; asymptotic analysis; Binary phase shift keying; cooperative diversity systems; Diversity reception; MGF method; Rayleigh channels; Signal to noise ratio
• ISBN: 9781424495399; 1424495393
• ISSN: 2376-6492
• DOI: 10.1109/IWCMC.2011.5982667

In this article, we present a unified approach for the asymptotic analysis of symbol error rates for two-hops cooperative non-regenerative multi-relay networks over a myriad of stochastic channel models. The analysis can be also extended to other types of cooperative strategies and multi-hop networks without much difficulty. The proposed moment generating function (MGF) framework is also sufficiently general to encapsulate all types of coherent and non-coherent digital modulation schemes. In addition to simplifying the computation complexity of average symbol error rate (ASER) for cooperative amplify-and-forward (CAF) diversity schemes treated in the literature, we also provide accurate ASER approximations for many fading environments that heretofore had resisted a simple solution. The accuracy of our approximations has been validated with closed-form formulas that are available for specific fading environments (e.g., Rayleigh and Nakagami-m channels) and via computer (Monte Carlo) simulations.