Relay Enhanced Architecture for Broadband Wireless Access Networks

Abstract

Services based on the broadband wireless access (BWA) technology are fast developing, yet the applications are limited by the radio spectrum resource. Due to the high frequency bands allocated, the conventional cellular (single-hop) BWA network can not promise both coverage and throughput achievements in the metropolitan environment This paper proposes a MAC layer simulator architecture introducing cross-layer design to enhance the radio resource management in the BWA networks. Then relay concept is transferred into the BWA networks where relay station (RS) pads the shadowing area between directional antennas. The results show that the proposed relay enhanced BWA system outperforms the single-hop one on both spectrum efficiency and throughput.