Simple wireless cooperative system to enhance the channel capacity in microcell scenarios

In this paper we discuss the use of a simple wireless cooperative system based on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) spatial multiplexing, in order to enhance the channel capacity of single antenna and multiple antenna terminals in microcellular systems. The proposed cooperative system is envisioned for technology that is already available on the market, it can be implemented in a transparent manner to the cellular network and it can be used both in the downlink and in the uplink. We also propose a simple, fast and distributed scheme to select a good relay within the cooperative system. The study is performed using a simulator that generates realistic frequency-selective channel realizations for a microcell environment. The simulation results show that the proposed cooperative system plus the relay selection scheme accomplish the goal of enhancing the channel capacity for all the considered situations.