Performance analysis of cooperative MIMO ARQ protocols using different combining techniques

In this paper, we investigate the throughput performance of cooperative multiple input multiple output (MIMO) automatic repeat request (ARQ) using decode and forward (DF) relaying with different diversity combining schemes, specifically maximum ratio combining (MRC), selection combining (SC), generalized selection combining (GSC) and minimum selection generalized selection combining (MS-GSC) over Rayleigh block fading channels. This paper addresses the scenario where no direct link exists between the source and the destination. The source with one single transmit antenna is communicating with the destination, equipped with multiple receive antennas, through a relay with multiple receive antennas. Simulation and theoretical results are provided to verify the accuracy of our analysis. Results show better performance for MRC when compared to others techniques.