On optimal relay placement in directional networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates optimal relay placement in highly-directional wireless networks, demonstrating that placing relays near source and destination maximizes throughput under certain conditions.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical approach to determine optimal relay positions in 1-2-1 network models, highlighting when proximity to source and destination is optimal.

Findings

Relays should be placed close to source and destination for maximum throughput.

Optimal topology depends on the distance between source and destination.

Analytical conditions for relay placement are derived.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the problem of optimal topology design in wireless networks equipped with highly-directional transmission antennas. We use the 1-2-1 network model to characterize the optimal placement of two relays that assist the communication between a source-destination pair. We analytically show that under some conditions on the distance between the source-destination pair, the optimal topology in terms of maximizing the network throughput is to place the relays as close as possible to the source and the destination.