Path selection diversity for packet delivery in wireless single-hop networks

In this paper, we analytically analyze the performance of a path selection diversity scheme for downlink packet delivery. In the scheme, the scheduled user, where scheduling is based on First In First Out (FIFO) queueing systems, tries to select the best end-to-end path quality among L possible relays including his downlink channel for packet delivery. In this system communication between users is limited to a signal-hop. The scheduled packet is delivered either directly on the down-link channel or through one user (relay). Closed-form expressions of the average spectral efficiency (ASE), the probability of packet drop, and the probability of relaying is presented. We compare the path selection scheme under slow Rayleigh fading assumption with the non-selection scheme (downlink transmission).