A general performance model for MAC layer cooperative retransmission contention protocols

Cooperative retransmission schemes can significantly improve transmission reliability and performance over high loss and time-varying links. However, analytically comparing performance between retransmission strategies is challenging and generally requires simplistic assumptions. This paper presents a general model for the performance of distributed, slot-based contention algorithms for opportunistic decode and forward retransmission algorithms. The model is independent of specific modulation or coding schemes and may be adapted to suit state-based transmission probability models. The model is validated through QualNet simulations.