A dual-hop virtual MIMO architecture based on hybrid differential spatial modulation

In this paper, we propose a novel virtual multi-input-multi-output (VMIMO) architecture to convey information from the source node (SN) to the destination node (DN) via multiple relay nodes (RNs). As it is built on dual-hop networks with differential spatial modulation (DSM), we call it dual-hop hybrid DSM (DH-HDSM). In order to harvest the diversity provided by the SN and reduce the complexity at the RNs, DH-HDSM forms a precoding aided DSM pattern in the first hop and applies incoherent detection in a centralized or distributed manner at the RNs. Based on the decode-and-forward protocol, DSM transmission is carried out in the second hop and achieves high energy efficiency via statistical single RN activation at any time instant. We analyze the performance of DH-HDSM in terms of the average bit error probability and make comparisons with dual-hop hybrid spatial modulation (DH-HSM) and differential VMIMO systems with either a single relay or best relay selection. Theoretical results and Monte Carlo simulations confirm that DH-HDSM outperforms DH-HSM and other differential relay schemes in terms of error performance when the DN is equipped with multiple antennas.