SEP formula for single relay selection in a multiple relay environment over rayleigh fading channels

In this paper, we analyze the performance of cooperative wireless networks with multiple-relays with single-relay selection using limited feed back, exploiting the concepts of Alamouti space-time coding. A two-stage protocol is used with the relay terminals operating in the amplify-and-forward mode (AF). The analysis uses the Rayleigh fading model to reduce the complexity in handling versatile Nakagami fading channels. Taking these effects into account, symbol error probability (SEP) for single relay selection in a multiple-relay environment is derived . The selection is based on the gain of the source-relay (SR) channel and we claim that this is the best achievable SEP for transmission of the Alamouti code using the described protocol, under the given selection criteria. Numerical results are provided to verify the accuracy of the formulation.