Closed-Form Average SNR and Ergodic Capacity Approximations for Best Relay Selection

Abstract

This work analyses the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and ergodic capacity of large-scale relay networks with best relay selection (BRS). First, extreme value theory (EVT) is used to obtain an implicit expression for the asymptotic cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the received SNR when the number of relays is high. Then, via high power approximations, closed-form expressions for the cdf and probability density function (pdf) of the received SNR are achieved, from which closed-form expressions of the average received SNR and ergodic capacity are derived. Insights on the array gain and ergodic capacity behavior of BRS can be observed from the derived results. Simulations show that the derived approximations are tight, even for not-so-large relay networks.