Stochastic modeling of cooperative wireless multi-hop networks

DEDICATION To my Parents. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to gratefully and sincerely thank Dr. Mary Ann Ingram for her guidance, understanding, patience, and most importantly, her friendship during my graduate studies at Georgia Tech. Her infectious enthusiasm and unlimited zeal have been major driving forces throughout my graduate years. More importantly, she demonstrated her faith in my ability to rise to the occasion and do the necessary work and has always been a strong advocate for me. Thank you Dr. Ingram for being such a nice adviser. My special thanks go to the members of my thesis committee, Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, in giving me the opportunity to pursue my doctoral research in an uninterrupted manner. for the support they have lent me over all these years. Further, I thank all my friends outside Georgia Tech including Bushra Chaudry, Ali Imran and so many others for always being there for me. My time at Georgia Tech was made enjoyable in large part due to the many iv friends that became a part of my life. I am grateful for time spent with roommates and friends, especially Syed Hussain Raza and Sajid Saleem, for my backpacking buddies and our memorable trips into the mountains, lakes, beaches, deserts and visits to so many restaurants. My very special thanks to the persons whom I owe everything I am today, my parents. Their unwavering faith and confidence in my abilities and in me is what has shaped me to be the person I am today. Thank you for everything. I would also like to thank my brother and sisters and their families for their love and support. Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all my teachers and staff at Georgia Tech.