Browsing by Author "Anafo, Theophilus"

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    Link level performance evaluation of relay-based Wimax network
    (JUNE, 2015) Anafo, Theophilus
    The recent demand for higher data rate services from wireless network users is overwhelming. Social media influx as well as the proliferation of smart-phones, tablet computers and other newly improved wireless devices has erupted a new trend in wireless network traffic where average capacity and speed is no longer appreciable. In order to cope with this trend in traffic requirement, wireless network operators are considering a gradual rollover of an existing third generation (3G) network to a fourth generation (4G) network with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based technologies such as Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Relay technology promises appreciable network throughput and coverage enhancement which is required for these systems to function to their optimum performance. This thesis is focused on analyzing the link-level performance of a relay-based WiMAX network under varying conditions. The study involves a hypothetical view as well as MATLAB simulations with results generated which are used to judge the benefit of relay deployment. This is aimed at solving pertinent issues such as coverage holes and cell edge problems which are associated with classical non-relay based cellular networks. We evaluated the performance of relay and direct link communication in terms of BER (Bit Error Rate), spectral efficiency and capacity. We investigated the effect of multipath fading on link performance. We also investigated the effect of user speed on performance. Our results however indicate improved performance in terms of BER, spectral efficiency and capacity in the downlink when relays are used.