Performance Bounds of Multi-Relay Deployment of Wireless Data Networks

In a multi-rate wireless data network, the data rate is a function of the distance from the Access Point (AP). To extend the coverage range of the data network and to increase the throughput to a target terminal outside the AP coverage range, relay nodes are inserted between the AP and the target terminal. Therefore, for a given throughput-distance relationship and a given distance between the access point and the target receiver, there must be a minimum number of nodes that provides the maximum throughput to the target receiver. In this paper we present an analytical approach to determine the optimal performance bounds and the number of relays for the optimal deployment of a multi-hop multi-rate wireless data network. The optimal number of relays is chosen to optimize the throughput for two scenarios. The first is to maximize the spatial throughput up to a desired coverage distance. The seconds is to maximize the throughput for a target receiver located at a specific distance from the access point.