Differential Amplify-and-Forward Relaying Using Linear Combining in Time-Varying Channels

TL;DR

This paper analyzes differential amplify-and-forward relaying with linear combining in time-varying Rayleigh fading channels, providing an exact BER analysis for DBPSK modulation and validating results through simulations.

Contribution

It offers a novel exact BER analysis for differential amplify-and-forward relaying with arbitrary fixed weights in dynamic channels.

Findings

BER performance depends on combining weights and fading scenarios

Simulation results confirm analytical accuracy

Linear combining effectively mitigates channel variations

Abstract

Differential encoding and decoding can be employed to circumvent channel estimation in wireless relay networks. This article studies differential amplify-and-forward relaying using linear combining with arbitrary fixed combining weights in time-varying channels. An exact bit error rate (BER) analysis is obtained for this system using DBPSK modulation and over time-varying Rayleigh fading channels. The analysis is verified with simulation results for several sets of combining weights and in various fading scenarios.