Forwarding schemes for cooperative relay groups

A method for communicating data from a source to a destination using a plurality of relay stations in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a first relay station of the plurality of relay stations, a data signal from the source;
• sharing information with at least a second relay station of the plurality of relay stations for transmitting the data signal to the destination, wherein the first relay station and the at least a second relay station belong to a first relay station group of a plurality of relay station groups;
• determining a forwarding scheme for transmitting the data signal;
• spreading the data signal using a spreading code;
• and
• transmitting the spread data signal to the destination using the forwarding scheme,
• wherein the plurality of relay stations are divided into the plurality of relay station groups based on traffic load per a time unit,
• wherein a same spreading code is used in the first relay station group, the same spreading code different from a spreading code used in a second relay station group of the plurality of relay station groups, and
• wherein the information comprises at least an instantaneous amplitude, a signal-to-noise ratio, a signal-to-interference plus noise ratio, reliability of the data signal, a decoded data signal or reliability of the decoded data signal.