Using Superposition Codebooks and Partial Decode-and-Forward in Low-SNR Parallel Relay Networks

A new communication scheme for Gaussian parallel relay networks based on superposition coding and partial decoding at the relays is presented. Some specific examples are proposed in which two codebook layers are superimposed. The first-level codebook is constructed with symbols from a binary or ternary alphabet, while the second-level codebook is composed of codewords chosen with Gaussian symbols. The new communication scheme is a generalization of decode-and-forward, amplify-and-forward, and bursty-amplify-and-forward. The asymptotic low-signal-to-noise-ratio regime is studied using achievable rates and minimum energy-per-bit as performance metrics. It is shown that the new scheme outperforms all previously known schemes for some channels and parameter ranges.