Performance of multi-relay coded cooperative diversity in asynchronous code-division multiple-access over fading channels

In this study, multi-relay decode-and forward (DAF) cooperative networks employing convolutional coding are studied for asynchronous direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) systems over frequency-selective slow fading channels. The authors show that the full benefits of coded cooperative diversity cannot be achieved if no multi-user interference suppression is employed at the cooperative end. The authors consider two scenarios; perfect and imperfect inter-user channels. In that, the bit-error-rate performance of the cooperative system is investigated for an uplink transmission where a decorrelator detector is used at both the relay and base station receivers. Both simulation and analytical results are presented to demonstrate the diversity gains of the convolutionally coded cooperative network.