Outage analysis for joint antenna and path selection decode-and-forward relay networks.

In this paper, we consider a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cooperative communication system with single decode and forward (DF) relay. The system performance is analyzed by using joint antenna and path selection (JAPS) scheme over Nakagami- m fading channel. Then, we propose to use both JAPS and Sub-optimal transmit antenna selection strategy denoted by JAPS/maximum-ratio combining (JAPS/MRC) to improve the coding gain performance. For JAPS, a closed-form expression for the outage probability (OP) is derived. The upper bound of OP in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime is obtained. For JAPS/MRC a closed-form expression for the OP is also derived. The derived expressions are applicable with any number of antennas, different m i and distinct average SNRs between the paths. Simulation results are presented and show the validity of our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]