A distributed differential space-time coding with full interference cancellation scheme for a cooperative four relay network

We propose the use of a distributed differential space-time code within a two-hop cooperative wireless four relay network, with partial channel information at the destination, over quasi-static Rayleigh fading channels, which can achieve full cooperative diversity and improve the transmission rate to approximately unit. In this scheme the four relay nodes are arranged as two groups of two relay nodes, both of which employ the distributed differential space time block coding design, but with offset transmission scheduling. Therefore, the source can serially transmit data to the destination and the overall rate can be improved. However, this transmission scheme may suffer from inter-relay interference which is caused by the simultaneous transmission of the source and another group of relays. A full interference cancellation (FIC) approach is therefore used to remove the inter-relay interference. Uncoded and coded bit error rate simulations confirm the utility of the scheme.