Performance of AF Relay Networks with Multiple Relays and Multiple Antennas at Destination Using MRC Combining

Cooperative networking schemes in wireless networks provide cooperative diversity gain using differently located antennas that combat fadings induced by multipath propagation. In this paper, we present the optimal weight design for the destination in AF (Amplify and Forward) relay system, where the optimally designed MRC (Maximum Ratio Combining) is employed at the destination for S→D link (direct link between source and destination) and R→D links (indirect links between relays and destination). We investigate the BER performance of 1S→NR→LD system composed of one source, N relay nodes equipped with single antenna and one destination node equipped with L antennas, which also includes 1S→1R→LD and 1S→NR→1D. Simulation and numerical results are presented to verify our analysis.