Information-theoretic study on routing path selection in two-way relay networks

Two-way relaying is a promising technique to improve network throughput. However, how to efficiently apply it to a wireless network remains an unresolved issue. In this paper, we consider routing path selection in a two-way relay network. Information theoretical analysis is carried out to derive bandwidth efficiency and energy efficiency of a linear multihop network with transmission through two-way relay channels. Such analysis provides a framework of routing path selection by considering bandwidth efficiency, energy efficiency, and latency subject to physical layer constraints such as the transmission rate, processing power, path length, and the number of relays. This framework provides insightful guidelines for future routing protocol design in a two-way relay network.