On the effectiveness of cooperative diversity in ad hoc networks: a MAC layer study

We investigate the effectiveness of cooperative diversity in interference limited ad hoc networks. The underlying cooperative techniques exploit space diversity through cooperative terminals´ relaying signals for one another. We develop a relay selection policy and channel allocation scheme to provide contention-free transmissions while acquiring capacity benefits from cooperative diversity. Extensive simulation results show that careless/selfish usage of cooperative relays yields higher connection blocking probabilities. A proper source allocation scheme is essential to balance the tradeoff between cooperative diversity and interference mitigation.