Testing cooperative communication schemes in a virtual distributed testbed of wireless networks

It is expected that Next Generation Networks (NGNs) will offer seamless interoperability among heterogeneous access technologies in order to provide ubiquitous access. In such settings, short range technologies may be used in order to extend the coverage area of cellular systems while cooperative diversity can improve the efficiency of the wireless systems. An advanced, backward compatible, with the 802.11 standard, MAC protocol for cooperative ARQ scenarios in NGNs sets the research framework for this work. The functionalities of the RCSMA protocol 1 will be enhanced and the derived analytical models will be validated at the UNITE Virtual Distributed Testbed (VDT) (2).Peer Reviewe