Range extension in a UWB relay channel using non-ideal nodes

Ultra Wideband (UWB) is an emerging technology that promises very high data rates over short distances. However, a major shortcoming of the UWB communication systems is their limited range, due to restrictions on transmit power. One possible method of range extension in wireless applications with constraints on transmit power is by using relay nodes. In this paper we propose an optimal power allocation strategy for range extension for an N-hop linear relay channel for UWB communications. We specifically consider the case of non-ideal nodes that consume power. An expression for the optimal number of relay nodes has been derived. The maximum range possible by deploying the optimum number of non-ideal relay nodes is also derived.