SEP of cooperative systems using Amplify and Forward or Decode and Forward relaying over Nakagami-m fading channels

In this paper, we analyze the performance of cooperative diversity wireless networks using amplify-and-forward (AF) or decode-and-forward (DF) relaying over independent, non-identically distributed Nakagami-m fading channels. We derive the symbol error probability (SEP) using the moment generating function (MGF) of the end-to-end signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) at the destination. In AF relaying, and since it is hard to find a closed form expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the total SNR, we use an upper-bound of the SNR instead. In DF relaying we propose a new approach using a fraction decomposition of the SNR MGF.