Pairwise error probability of distributed space-time coding employing Alamouti scheme in wireless relays networks

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the pairwise error probability (PEP) of distributed space-time codes, in which the source and the relay generate Alamouti space-time code in a distributed fashion. We restrict our attention to the space-time code construction for Protocol III in Nabar et al. (IEEE Journal on Selected Areas Communications 22(6): 1099-1109, 2004). In particular, we derive two closed-form approximations for PEP when the relay is either close to the destination or source and an upper bound for any position of the relay. Using the alternative definition of Q-function, we can express these PEPs in terms of finite integral whose integrand is composed of trigonometric functions.We further show that with only one relay assisted source-destination link, system still achieves diversity order of two, assuming single-antenna terminals. We also perform Monte-Carlo simulations to verify the analysis. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2008.