Capacity and Range Analysis of Multi-Hop Relay Wireless Networks

More recently, there has been tremendous interest in exploring alternative architecture based on multihop relay model for future wireless networks. The interest is motivated by the limitation of existing cellular architecture when extended to higher bandwidth scenarios required in future beyond 3G and 4G systems. In this paper, we analyze the capacity and range extension potential of multihop relays when applied to a wide area wireless network. Our findings demonstrate that the potential capacity gain of multihop relays is limited to very specific cases. Moreover, we show that there are minimum benefits from using regular mobile stations as relays. Specialized relays which provide better antenna gain, larger transmit power and a better receiver (noise figure etc.) compared to a regular mobile station have greater potential in increasing the capacity and range in a wireless environment.