Towards integrating Quantize-Map-Forward relaying into LTE

We present a method to integrate the Quantize-Map-Forward (QMF) relaying scheme [1] into the standard LTE operation, for a two-relay diamond network configuration. Our approach implements QMF using mainly existing LTE modules and functionalities, and results in minimal changes in the standard link-layer LTE operation. In particular, the destination operation is only affected in that we adapt the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) calculations at the decoder input to take into account the existence of relays; thus, the decoding complexity and operations (apart the LLR calculations) are not modified. We report extensive performance evaluations of our scheme using the OpenAirInterface (OAI) link-level simulation tools.