A simple cooperative communication simulator involving a source node (S), a relay node (R) and a destination node (D). The simulator runs at the Highfield campus of Southampton University, UK. This is a useful educational simulator for research students working on cooperative communications.

The distance between node A and node B is denoted as A-B and is shown at the simulator output together with the Bit Error Rate (BER) of the communication link. The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the direct link between S and D is denoted as SNRdr. The SNR of the cooperative link invoking Amplify-and-Forward (AF) protocol at R is denoted as SNRaf, while that invoking Decode-and-Forward (DF) protocol is represented as SNRdf.

The simulator adaptively select the best scheme that can provide the highest SNR among the AF, DF and direct transmission (without relaying) schemes. If AF would provide the highest SNR at 1.8dB, while the direct link can only provide -0.8dB, then the simulator will show:
SNRaf: 1.8dB* and SNRdr=-0.8dB.

You may pause the movement of any node by tapping on it. Tap again to make it move.