Cross-Layer Performance Analysis of Cooperative ARQ With Opportunistic Multi-Point Relaying in Mobile Networks

A cross-layer analysis framework is developed for the design and performance evaluations of cooperative automatic repeat request (ARQ) with opportunistic multi-point relaying (OMPR) in mobile networks. In particular, three exemplar OMPR functions and their combinations are studied for opportunistic distributed space–time coded (ODSTC) retransmissions in time-division duplex long-term evolution advanced systems. According to the complexities and coordination delays of the OMPR functions, the influences of channel fading on the spatial and temporal diversities offered by ODSTC-based ARQ and their impacts on the system throughput, transmission energy consumption, and relays’ queuing delays can be evaluated effectively under this framework. Based on the analytical results, a rate adaptation strategy is also proposed to maximize the system throughput subject to constraints on queuing delays at relay stations (RSs) and packet error rates at mobile stations (MSs). Analysis and simulation results show that in typical vehicular speeds, using maximally two active RSs for ODSTC is a very robust and effective choice to provide near best system throughput with less energy consumptions and lower protocol complexities. The throughput gains over a system without using RS retransmissions range from 16 ~ 80% for cell-edge MSs, with only 25 ~ 45% of the transmission energy consumption.