Joint Network-Channel Coding for the Multiple-Access Relay Channel

We propose to use joint network-channel coding based on turbo codes for the multiple-access relay channel. Such a system can be used for the cooperative uplink for two mobile stations to a base station with the help of a relay. We compare the proposed system with a distributed turbo code for the relay channel and with a system which uses separate network-channel coding for the multiple-access relay channel. Simulation results confirm that the systems with network coding for the multiple-access relay channel gain cooperative diversity compared to the system with the distributed turbo code for the relay channel. Moreover, the results show that joint network-channel coding outperforms separate network-channel coding. The reason for this is that the redundancy which is contained in the transmission of the relay can be exploited more efficiently with joint network-channel coding