Area spectral efficiency of cooperative network with DF and AF relaying

Most performance metrics for cooperative networks focus on the qualification of either spectrum efficiency or link reliability, without considering the spatial effect of radio transmission. Area spectral efficiency (ASE) was first introduced to qualify the spatial spectral utilization efficiency of cellular systems. In this paper, we generalize the definition of ASE and investigate this performance metric in a three-node cooperative network with decode-and-forward (DF) and amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying. We derive the mathematical expression of ASE with the consideration of path-loss and fading effects. We show through selected numerical examples that ASE provides a new perspective on the spectrum utilization efficiency and transmission power design.