Optimizing Power Allocation and Matching of Cooperative Diversity Systems

In this paper, we study how to appropriately match users for two-user cooperative diversity systems that deploy optimal power allocation for an amplify and forward or a regenerate and forward CD scheme. Optimized power allocation strategies, which minimize the total energy consumption for the cooperating pair, are proposed for both CD schemes. A novel matching algorithm with less computational complexity than, but with performance very close to the state-of-the-art optimal maximal weighted matching algorithm is developed. Numerical results show that, with optimal power allocation, the proposed matching algorithm can achieve 9 ~ 10 dB cooperative diversity gain, which is equivalent to prolonging the cell phone battery recharge time by 10 times.