Minimizing the average achievable distortion using multi-layer coding approach in two-hop networks

Minimizing the average achievable distortion (AAD) of a Gaussian source at the destination of a two-hop block fading relay channel is studied in this paper. The communication is carried out through the use of a Decode and Forward (DF) relay with no source-destination direct links. The associated receivers of both hops are assumed to be aware of the corresponding channel state information (CSI), while the transmitters are unaware of their corresponding CSI. The current paper explores the effectiveness of incorporating the successive refinement source coding together with multi-layer channel coding in minimizing the AAD. In this regard, the closed form and optimal power allocation policy across code layers of the second hop is derived, and using a proper curve fitting approach, a close-to-optimal power allocation policy associated with the first hop is devised. It is numerically shown that the DF strategy closely follows the Amplify and Forward (AF) relaying, while there is a sizable gap between the AAD of multi-layer coding and single-layer source coding.