Cooperative techniques and principles enabling future 4G wireless networks

This paper attempts to define future 4G wireless networks starting from the convergence idea and adopting cooperative techniques and principles. The later will allow novel services at low power consumptions avoiding the problems associated with the linear extension of existing wireless networks. An architecture for mobile terminals supporting cooperation is presented. Furthermore, a set of cooperative ideas and strategies at different protocol layers are given, motivating the design of a new air interface with high flexibility.