Simulation of Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative Communications

To enhance the performance of cooperative communication systems, we developed simulation code implementing various diversity combining techniques for single-relay and multi-relay cooperative scenarios. The simulation framework includes implementations of Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Best Selection Combining (Best-SC), Equal Gain Combining (EGC), Generalized Selection Combining (GSC), and Nth Best Selection Combining (Nth SC) among nine distinct combining methods. Our performance analysis evaluates key metrics including bit error rate and signal-to-noise ratio improvement. The implementation features MATLAB-based algorithms that model channel state information estimation, signal weighting for MRC, threshold-based antenna selection for SC schemes, and adaptive combining logic for GSC. Results demonstrate that strategic selection of combining methods can achieve 3-5 dB SNR gain in cooperative systems, with MRC showing optimal performance at the cost of higher computational complexity requiring full channel knowledge.