Diversity analysis of a parallel amplify and forward relay network

We study a wireless network where multiple parallel relays forward signals cooperatively so that a destination receives a superposition of signals from independent channels. We define an analytical diversity metric for parallel relay networks. We propose a new relaying protocol by clipping the relay gain that is better than older protocols in terms of the diversity metric. We model a practical wireless cellular network, where spatial separation causes different propagation delays for the signal components and the destination observes a multipath channel. Analytical diversity expressions are given at the high bandwidth area and practical bandwidths are illustrated by simulations.