Effect of channel estimation errors on MRC diversity in Rician fading channels

We study the effect of imperfect channel estimation (ICE) on the performance of M-ary phase shift keying (M-PSK) with maximum ratio combining (MRC) in generalized Rician fading channels. First, we derive the error probability formulas for M-PSK with MRC and ICE in arbitrary Rician fading channels. Furthermore, we derive the effective receiver output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) statistics and the outage probability, and analytically quantify the average SNR loss of M-PSK caused by ICE, assuming independent diversity branches. Finally, we point out a major approximation in a popular approach used in the literature to evaluate the adverse effect of ICE.     

Equal-gain and maximal-ratio combining over nonidentical Weibull fading channels

We study the performance of L-branch equal-gain combining (EGC) and maximal-ratio combining (MRC) receivers operating over nonidentical Weibull-fading channels. Closed-form expressions are derived for the moments of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of the combiner and significant performance criteria, for both independent and correlative fading, such as average output SNR, amount of fading and spectral efficiency at the low power regime, are studied. We also evaluate the outage and the average symbol error probability (ASEP) for several coherent and noncoherent modulation schemes, using a closed-form expression for the moment-generating function (mgf) of the output SNR for MRC receivers and the Pade/spl acute/ approximation to the mgf for EGC receivers. The ASEP of dual-branch EGC and MRC receivers is also obtained in correlative fading. The proposed mathematical analysis is complimented by various numerical results, which point out the effects of fading severity and correlation on the overall system performance. Computer simulations are also performed to verify the validity and the accuracy of the proposed theoretical approach.     

Equal gain combining over Nakagami-n (rice) and Nakagami-q (Hoyt) generalized fading channels

Motivated by the importance of Nakagami-n (Rice) and Nakagami-q (Hoyt) statistical models to describe channel fading in land, mobile, terrestrial, and satellite telecommunications, we present an alternative moments-based approach to the performance analysis of equal-gain combining (EGC) receivers over independent, not necessarily identically distributed Rice- and Hoyt-fading channels. Exact closed-form expressions for the moments of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of the combiner are derived and significant performance criteria such as, the average output SNR, the amount of fading and the spectral efficiency at the low power regime, are studied. Moreover, using Pade rational approximation to the moment-generating function of the output SNR, the average symbol error probability and the outage probability are evaluated. We also study the suitability of modeling a Hoyt-fading environment by a properly chosen Nakagami-m model, as far as the error performance of the EGC is concerned.     

Performance evaluation of generalized selection diversity systems over Nakagami‐m fading channels

The generalized selection combining (GSC) scheme that adaptively combines a subset of M strongest paths out of L available diversity paths finds applications in several wideband receivers and broadband wireless communications. In this paper, exact closed‐form expressions for the moment generating function (MGF), the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative density function (CDF) of the GSC(M, L) output signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) Nakagami‐m fading channels are derived while the fading index is a positive integer. These expressions hold for any M and L and provide a comprehensive framework for performance analysis including the derivation of closed‐form formulas for the average symbol error probability (ASEP) of a broad class of binary and M‐ary modulations, mean combined SNR and the outage probability of GSC(M, L) receiver structures. When the Nakagami‐m fading index is not an integer, the MGF of GSC(M, L) output SNR is derived as an (M − 1)‐fold infinite series. With this MGF, analytical expressions for both the outage probability and error rates can be readily obtained. An easily programmable recursive solution of the MGF of GSC(M, L) output SNR is also outlined for both the positive integer and noninteger fading severity index cases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of carrier phase error on EGC receivers in correlated Nakagami-m fading

The effects of incoherently combining on dual-branch equal-gain combining (EGC) receivers in the presence of correlated, but not necessarily identical, Nakagami-m fading and additive white Gaussian noise are studied. Novel closed-form expressions for the moments of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are derived. Based on these expressions, the average output SNR and the amount of fading are obtained in closed-form. Moreover, the outage and the average bit error probability for binary and quadrature phase-shift keying are also studied using the moments-based approach. Numerical and computer simulation results clearly depict the effect of the carrier phase error, correlation coefficient, and fading severity on the EGC performance. An interesting finding is that higher values of the correlation coefficient results to lower irreducible error floors.     

Performance evaluation of triple-branch GSC diversity receivers over generalized-K fading channels

In this letter, a detailed performance analysis of generalized selection combining GSC(2,3) receivers operating over independent but not necessarily identically distributed (n.i.d.) generalized-K (KG) fading channels is presented. For this class of receivers, a novel closed-form expression for the moments of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is derived. This result can be afterwards used to evaluate the outage probability and the average symbol error probability of different signal constellations. Various performance evaluation results are also presented and compared to equivalent simulation ones.     

Infinite series representations of the trivariate and quadrivariate Rayleigh distribution and their applications

Few theoretical results are known about the joint distribution of three or more arbitrarily correlated Rayleigh random variables (RVs). Consequently, theoretical performance results are unknown for three- and four-branch equal gain combining (EGC), selection combining (SC), and generalized SC (GSC) in correlated Rayleigh fading. This paper redresses this gap by deriving new infinite series representations for the joint probability density function (pdf) and the joint cumulative distribution function (cdf) of three and four correlated Rayleigh RVs. Bounds on the error resulting from truncating the infinite series are derived. A classical approach, due to Miller, is used to derive our results. Unfortunately, Miller's approach cannot be extended to more than four variates and, in fact, the quadrivariate case considered in this paper appears to be the most general result possible. For brevity, we treat only a limited number of applications in this paper. The new pdf and cdf expressions are used to derive the outage probability of three-branch SC, the moments of the EGC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the moment generating function of the GSC(2,3) output SNR in arbitrarily correlated Rayleigh fading. A novel application of Bonferroni's inequalities allows new outage bounds for multibranch SC in arbitrarily correlated Rayleigh channels.     

Diversity reception over generalized-K (KG) fading channels

A detailed performance analysis for the most important diversity receivers operating over a composite fading channel modeled by the generalized-K (Kg) distribution is presented. The Kg distribution has been recently considered as a generic and versatile distribution for the accurate modeling of a great variety of short term fading in conjunction with long term fading (shadowing) channel conditions. For this relatively new composite fading model, expressions for important statistical metrics of maximal ratio combining (MRC), equal gain combining (EGC), selection combining (SC) and switch and stay combining (SSC) diversity receivers are derived. Using these expressions and by considering independent but not necessarily identical distributed fading channel conditions, performance criteria, such as average output signal-to-noise ratio, amount of fading and outage probability are obtained in closed form. Moreover, following the moments generating function (MGF) based approach for MRC and SSC receivers, and the Pade approximants method for SC and EGC receivers, the average bit error probability is studied. The proposed mathematical analysis is complemented by various performance evaluation results which demonstrate the accuracy of the theoretical approach.     

Performance analysis of a class of GSC receivers over nonidentical Weibull fading channels

The performance of a class of generalized-selection combining (GSC) receivers operating over independent but nonidentically distributed Weibull fading channels is studied. We consider the case where the two branches with the largest instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), from a total of L available, GSC(2, L) are selected. By introducing a novel property for the product of moments of ordered Weibull random variables, convenient closed form expressions for the moments of the GSC(2,L) output SNR are derived. Using these expressions, important performance criteria, such as average output SNR and amount of fading, are obtained in closed form. Furthermore, employing the Pade/spl acute/ approximants theory and the moment-generating function approach, outage and bit-error rate performance are studied. An attempt is also made to identify the equivalency between the Weibull and the Rice fading channel, which is typically used to model the mobile satellite channel. We present various numerical performance evaluation results for different modulation formats and channel conditions. These results are complemented by equivalent computer simulated results which validate the accuracy of the proposed analysis.     

Efficient performance evaluation for generalized selection combining on generalized fading channels

The authors propose an efficient moment generating function (MGF)-based method to evaluate the performance of generalized selection combining (GSC) over different fading channels. Employing a recently proposed method which is, however, only applicable to GSC diversity with independent and identically distributed branches, they derive a general MGF expression for the GSC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for generalized fading channels, where the channel statistics in different diversity branches may be nonidentical or even distributed according to different distribution families. The resulting MGF expression is applicable to the analysis of the error probability, the outage probability, and the SNR statistics for GSC in a number of wireless communications scenarios with generalized fading. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the application of the new analysis.     

An MGF-based performance analysis of generalized selectioncombining over Rayleigh fading channels

Using the notion of the “spacing” between ordered exponential random variables, a performance analysis of the generalized selection combining (GSC) diversity scheme over Rayleigh fading channels is presented and compared with that of the conventional maximal-ratio combining and selection combining schemes. Starting with the moment generating function (MGF) of the GSC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we derive closed-form expressions for the average combined SNR, outage probability, and average error probability of a wide variety of modulation schemes operating over independently, identically distributed (i.i.d.) diversity paths. Because of their simple form, these expressions readily allow numerical evaluation for cases of practical interest. The results are also extended to the case of non-i.i.d. diversity paths     

Performance analysis of L-branch equal gain combiners in equally correlated Rayleigh fading channels

Theoretical performance results for L-branch (L/spl ges/3) coherent equal-gain combining (EGC) in correlated fading channels are not known. This letter develops a novel approach for performance analysis of L-branch EGC in equally correlated Rayleigh fading channels. Such channel gains can be transformed into a set of conditionally independent channel gains. The cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the EGC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is, therefore, derived. The symbol error rate (SER) of different modulation schemes with EGC in equally correlated Rayleigh fading channels is evaluated. Numerical results that illustrate the effects of equally correlated fading on the SER performance of EGC are also provided.     

Performance of cooperative diversity using Equal Gain Combining (EGC) over Nakagami-m fading channels

Cooperative diversity is a promising technology for future wireless networks. In this paper, we derive exact closed-form expressions for the average bit error rate (BER) and outage probability (Pout) for differential equal gain combining (EGC) in cooperative diversity networks. The considered network uses amplify-and-forward relaying over independent non-identical Nakagami-m fading channels. The performance metrics (BER and Pout) are derived using the moment generating function (MGF) method. Furthermore, we found (in terms of MGF) the SNR moments, the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and amount of fading. Numerical results show that the differential EGC can bene?t from the path-loss reduction and outperform the traditional multiple-input single output (MISO) system. Also, numerical results show that the performance of the differential EGC is comparable to the maximum ratio combining (MRC) performance.     

Unified analysis of EGC diversity over Weibull fading channels

In this paper, the performance analysis based on PDF approach of an L ‐branch equal gain combiner (EGC) over independent and not necessarily identical Weibull fading channels is presented. Several closed‐form approximate expressions are derived in terms of only one Fox H‐function as PDF, cumulative distribution function, and moments of the EGC output Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), outage probability, amount of fading, channel capacity, and the average symbol error rate for various digital modulation schemes. All results are illustrated and verified by simulations using computer algebra systems.     

Switched diversity receivers over generalized gamma fading channels

A versatile envelope distribution which generalizes several commonly used fading models is the generalized Gamma (GG) distribution. This letter deals with the performance analysis of switch and stay combining (SSC) receivers operating over not necessarily identical GG fading channels. For these receivers, novel analytical expressions for the moments of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (including average SNR and amount of fading), outage probability, average bit error probability (ABEP), and Shannon average spectral efficiency (ASE) are derived. Moreover, closed-form expressions are obtained for the optimal average SNR, ABEP, and ASE switching thresholds. Special cases of the derived expressions agree with known results.     

Gaussian class multivariate Weibull distributions: theory and applications in fading channels

Ascertaining on the suitability of the Weibull distribution to model fading channels, a theoretical framework for a class of multivariate Weibull distributions, originated from Gaussian random processes, is introduced and analyzed. Novel analytical expressions for the joint probability density function (pdf), moment-generating function (mgf), and cumulative distribution function (cdf) are derived for the bivariate distribution of this class with not necessarily identical fading parameters and average powers. Two specific distributions with arbitrary number of correlated variates are considered and studied: with exponential and with constant correlation where their pdfs are introduced. Both cases assume equal average fading powers, but not necessarily identical fading parameters. For the multivariate Weibull distribution with exponential correlation, useful corresponding formulas, as for the bivariate case, are derived. The presented theoretical results are applied to analyze the performance of several diversity receivers employed with selection, equal-gain, and maximal-ratio combining (MRC) techniques operating over correlated Weibull fading channels. For these diversity receivers, several useful performance criteria such as the moments of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (including average output SNR and amount of fading) and outage probability are analytically derived. Moreover, the average symbol error probability for several coherent and noncoherent modulation schemes is studied using the mgf approach. The proposed mathematical analysis is complemented by various evaluation results, showing the effects of the fading severity as well as the fading correlation on the diversity receivers performance.     

Moment analysis of the equal gain combiner output in equally correlated fading channels

Moments of the multibranch equal gain combiner (EGC) output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are only known for independent fading channels or exponentially correlated Nakagami-m fading channels. In this paper, we derive the moments of the EGC output SNR in equally correlated Rayleigh, Rician, and Nakagami-m fading channels. Our moment expressions can be used to evaluate the outage and the average error rate as well as purely moments-based measures such as the average output SNR and the amount of fading as functions of the fading correlation. Numerical results that illustrate the effect of fading correlation on the distribution of the EGC output SNR are also provided.     

Error analysis of generalized selection combining over relay channel

Cooperative communication is a recently popular concept which allows single-antenna devices to benefit from spatial diversity. The performance analysis of cooperative communication using generalized selection combining (GSC) over independent not necessarily identically distributed Nakagami-m fading channels is presented and compared with that of the conventional maximal ratio combining (MRC) and selection combining (SC) schemes. With the aid of Padé approximants theory, new closed-form expression is derived for the moment-generating function (MGF) of the GSC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). MGF is an important tool for researching the system performance. In this paper, the average bit-error probability is accurately approximated using the well-known MGF approach. Numerical results show that the proposed mathematical analysis is accurate and that for the more severe fading cases, the GSC receivers are closer to the optimum MRC receivers.     

Exact Performance Analysis of Dual-Branch Coherent Equal-Gain Combining in Nakagami- $m$, Rician, and Hoyt Fading

The exact symbol error rates (SERs) of several M-ary modulation schemes are obtained in a unified manner for mobile radio receivers employing dual-branch coherent equal-gain combining (EGC), where the received signals on each branch follow either similar or different fading distributions. Specifically, the cases considered are Nakagami-m, Rice, and Hoyt fading on both branches, but with not necessarily identical parameters, and mixed Nakagami-m/Rice and Nakagami-m/Hoyt fading; only the integer or half-integer values of the Nakagami-parameter are considered. While the previous exact expressions for the SERs of general M-ary modulations with L-branch EGC contained double integrals, the error probability expressions derived in this paper for the case of L=2 contain only a single integral. In addition, the derived probability distributions also allow the direct obtaining of other useful performance measures, such as the exact level crossing rates, average fade durations, and outage probabilities.     

Closed-Form Analysis of Equal-Gain Diversity in Wireless Radio Networks

This paper deals with the performance of predetection equal-gain combining (EGC) receivers operating over multipath fading plus cochannel interference (CCI) and additive white Gaussian noise channels. The desired components of the received signals are considered to experience independent but not-necessarily identically distributed Nakagami-m fading, while the interferers are subject to independent Rayleigh fading. The analysis is not only limited to equal average fading power interferers, but the case of interferers with distinct average powers is also examined. By following the coherent interference power calculation, novel closed-form expressions for the moments of the EGC output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) are derived, which are being used to study the performance of the average output SINR. Furthermore, by assuming an interference-limited fading scenario, novel closed-form union performance bounds are derived. More specifically, tight upper bounds for the outage and average symbol error probability for several constant envelope modulation schemes, and lower bounds for the Shannon average spectral efficiency, are provided. Numerical results demonstrate the effect of the number of interferers, the number of the receiver branches, and the severity of fading on the EGC receiver performance. Computer simulations have been also performed to verify the tightness of the proposed bounds and the correctness of the mathematical analysis. It is shown that the performance of cellular radio systems in the uplink is degraded mainly from the first-tier CCI of the adjacent cells