Optimal power distribution in non-binary LDPC code-based cooperative wireless networks

This work analyzes the optimal power allocation in coded cooperative communication systems with a single relay and using the amplify-and-forward protocol. Non-binary low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are used at the source and a fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based decoding algorithm is employed at the destination. We study the power distribution between the source and the relay based on the minimization of the LDPC bit error rate (BER) performance at the destination as well as on the information theoretic measures such as the channel capacity and outage probabilities. The optimal power allocation estimated by the LDPC performance simulation corresponds to the capacity/outage probability results. In addition, BER comparisons of the coded systems (cooperative and noncooperative) are carried out for some typical cooperative scenarios.