Apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving data using multi-path in wireless communication system of distributed MAC

A method of transmitting data performed by a source device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• transmitting the data to a destination device using a data link comprising a direct link or a relay link in an alternative mode, when a relay device operates in amplify-and-forward scheme;
• changing the data link at a start of each link change interval;
• and
• monitoring a quality of a previous link periodically after a change of the data link,
• wherein the direct link is to exchange the data directly between the source device and the destination device without the relay device,
• wherein the relay link is to exchange the data between the source device and the destination device via the relay device, and
• wherein the source device transmits a beacon frame for a device discovery using omni-directional transmission, and transmits a data frame using directional transmission.

A source device in a wireless communication system, the source device comprising:

• a first processor configured to transmit data to a destination device using a data link comprising either a direct link or a relay link in a normal mode, when a relay device operates in amplify-and-forward scheme;
• and
• a second processor configured to change the data link based on a status of the data link and to monitor a quality of a previous link periodically after a change of the data link,
• wherein the direct link is to exchange the data directly between the source device and the destination device without the relay device,
• wherein the relay link is to exchange the data between the source device and the destination device via the relay device,
• wherein the data link is changed after data sensing time from a start of a next link change interval, and
• wherein the source device transmits a beacon frame for a device discovery using omni-directional transmission, and transmits a data frame using directional transmission.

A source device in a wireless communication system, the source device comprising:

• a first processor configured to transmit data to a destination device using a data link comprising a direct link or a relay link in an alternative mode, when a relay device operates in amplify-and-forward scheme;
• and
• a second processor configured to change the data link at a start of each link change interval and to monitor a quality of a previous link periodically after a change of the data link,
• wherein the direct link is to exchange the data directly between the source device and the destination device without the relay device,
• wherein the relay link is to exchange the data between the source device and the destination device via the relay device, and
• wherein the source device transmits a beacon frame for a device discovery using omni-directional transmission, and transmits a data frame using directional transmission.