Asynchronous relay selection protocol for distributed cooperative networks

This paper proposes a novel relay selection protocol for distributed cooperative networks, that eliminates the effect of asynchronism between different received signals. The suggested protocol maintains a high diversity order, with minimum message complexity and overall time delay, and it also provides a better performance in terms of power consumption and error rates than existing selection protocols. From several relayed signals, the receiver chooses signals which verify a certain predefined SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) and some conditions on time delays. The overall enhancement of the system performance, compared to other relay selection protocols, is shown by measurements and numerical simulations.