A Coalition Game Framework for Decode-and-Forward Relay Networks

Coalitional game theory is a promising tool for analyzing the dynamics of networks that implement cooperative protocols. In this paper, we examine the stable outcomes of a self-organizing cooperative network based on decode-and-forward relaying, namely, orthogonal (ODF) and non-orthogonal decode-and-forward (NDF) relay networks. A coalitional game theory approach is formulated to examine how cooperative groups would form in a distributed manner, as well as possible resource allocation methods within groups. Numerical results are presented with a utility function based on the ergodic capacity, which reveal a trade-off between sum-rate and diversity for the ODF system. For the NDF network, it is shown that it is always beneficial for all users to cooperate as a single group.