Range extension without capacity penalty in cellular networks with digital fixed relays

The concept of relaying is a promising solution for the challenging throughput and high data rate coverage requirements of future wireless cellular networks. In this paper, we demonstrate that the area that a single BS (base station) can provide high data rate coverage can significantly be increased by the employment of digital fixed relays without any penalty in capacity. This network architecture, which allows two-hop links, is expected to facilitate cost-efficient high data rate coverage in beyond-3G cellular wireless networks. In particular, we considered the downlink of a non-CDMA network where 6 digital fixed relays are placed around each BS in a hexagonal layout. The improved two-hop links can be exploited to yield higher throughput through the use of adaptive modulation and coding.