Performance analysis of distributed selection combining with dual-hop relay link in Rayleigh fading channel

Using a general two-parameter received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) model for two-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying, we analyze the error performance of binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation considering a dual-hop relay link and distributed selection combining (SC) adopted by the destination. The relay network consists of a single antenna AF relay, placed between source and destination with the availability of a direct path signal from the source to the destination and it is assumed that all the links undergo independent and flat Rayleigh fading. Exact analytical expression is derived for the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the received output SNR in a unified manner that encompasses two specific AF relay configurations. A pair of closed form solutions for the average bit error probability (BEP) has also been obtained using CDF-based method. Monte Carlo simulation results are provided to verify our derived analytical results.