Switched Max-Link Relay Selection Algorithms for Buffer-Aided Relay Systems

In this paper, we investigate relay selection for cooperative multiple-antenna systems that are equipped with buffers, which increase the reliability of wireless links. In particular, we present a novel relay selection technique based on switching and the selection of the best link, that is named Switched Max-Link. We also introduce a novel relay selection criterion based on the Maximum Likelihood (ML) principle and the Pairwise Error Probability (PEP) denoted Maximum Minimum Distance (MMD) that is incorporated into the proposed Switched Max-Link protocol. We compare the proposed MMD to the existing Quadratic Norm (QN), in terms of PEP and computational complexity. Simulations are then employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed and existing techniques.