On the decode-and-forward cooperative diversity with coherent and non-coherent UWB systems

Abstract

In this paper, we extend the decode-and-forward cooperative diversity scheme to the context of impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB). We develop coherent and non-coherent schemes that exploit the spatial diversity in a distributed manner among the different terminals of a wireless network. These schemes are specific to IR-UWB and they take advantage of the pulse repetitions used to convey each information symbol. If Nf is the number of pulses per symbol, the coherent scheme is based on joint symbol and pulse coding and it achieves full diversity with any number of relays for Nf>1. The non-coherent scheme is based on pulse coding and it achieves full diversity with a maximum number of Nf-1 relays