A continuous-space analytical approach for relay node placement in hybrid cellular and ad hoc networks

Abstract

A hybrid network is composed of a cellular component and an ad hoc component connected by a relay node, for the purpose of coverage extension and/or capacity improvement. In this paper, we analyze the capacity of such a hybrid network by employing a continuous-space analytical methodology based on circular geometry for uniformly distributed nodes. To achieve maximal overall capacity, the relay node needs to be placed in an optimum location between the base station and the mobile station located at the boundary of the hybrid network. Numerical results show that for obtaining the optimum overall capacity for the hybrid network, the placement of the relay node should be in a range which is neither too close nor too far away from the base station. For a given node density and path-loss coefficient, a precise location for relay node placement to achieve maximum overall capacity can be found using the presented method.