Power-efficient network coded cooperation using non-binarily modulated relay

In this paper, we propose a simple network coded cooperation using non-binary modulation such as ternary phase shift keying (TPSK), which achieves high power and bandwidth efficiency compared with binary phase shift keying (BPSK). We investigate the encoder design based on serially concatenated convolutional codes (SCCC) and a simple network coding. Also, we study the appropriate decoders to exploit the proposed cooperative transmission. Numerical results show our proposal scheme can enjoy the full spatial diversity gain. Furthermore, the throughput performance of our proposed scheme is superior to that of conventional decoded-and-forward cooperation over block Rayleigh fading channels.