MIMO with network coding in relay networks: A combination of multiplexing and diversity

In this paper, a new two-step communication protocol combined with MIMO technologies is proposed in this paper which allows improving the system throughput in a cooperative networks. The protocol is termed MINEC (MIMO network coding). A three nodes network with multi-antennas on relay node is taken as an illustrative example of MINEC. In step one of MINEC, two source nodes transmit message simultaneously; in step two, the relay node broadcasts coded data with network and space-time coding. A binary symmetric relay channel model is used to carry out the theoretical performance analysis of MINEC. The theoretical findings are validated by Monte-Carlo-simulation. It is found that MINEC facilitates a performance equivalent to a 2 × 2 V-BLAST MIMO and a two 2 × 1 Alamouti MIMO in transmitting phase and forwarding phase, respectively.