Diversity-multiplexing tradeoff analysis of multi-source multi-relay coded networks

We study the impact of efficient network coding and multiple access techniques in a two-source two-relay one-destination wireless network through the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) analysis. We compare the standard relaying protocol without network coding and the protocols using either a binary network coding (BNC) or an appropriately designed non-binary finite-field network coding (FFNC) at the relays. It is shown that the use of the non-binary FFNC strictly outperforms the other two protocols in terms of DMT. In addition, we propose a new transmission strategy based on the non-binary FFNC design and the non-orthogonal multiple access technique to further improve the DMT performance. Our results highlight the advantages of applying appropriate network coding in multi-source multi-relay networks.