In this letter, we provide a novel theoretical framework for studying the effects of correlated shadowing, in the number of relays that are capable of helping two nodes (sources) to exchange their messages. The relays use network coding to simultaneously transmit the received messages to the sources. We prove theoretically and verify by means of simulations that the average number of relays that are capable of forwarding the network coded message, is independent from any correlation between the links from one source to the relays. Finally, we apply this framework, to compute the network outage probability. The presented results are essential for the theoretical study of medium access control and relay selection protocols designed for network coded cooperative communications.

Peer Reviewed