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.     

Selection diversity receivers over nonidentical Weibull fading channels

The performance of selection combining (SC) receivers operating over independent, but not necessarily identically distributed, Weibull fading channels is studied. A novel closed form expression for the moments of the SC output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is derived, which is used to study the corresponding average output SNR and amount of fading. Second-order statistical parameters such as the average level crossing rate and average fade duration at the output of the SC are also obtained in closed form. Moreover, the average symbol error probability for several coherent and noncoherent modulations schemes as well as the Shannon capacity are extracted in terms of the tabulated Meijer's G-function. Simulations are also performed to validate the proposed formulation.     

Another look at the performance of MRC schemes in Nakagami-m fading channels with arbitrary parameters

In this letter, we take a close look at the performance of maximal ratio combining (MRC) schemes operating in a flat-Nakagami-m fading environment with arbitrary fading parameters. We derive an expression for the probability density function (pdf) of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by expressing the moment generating function of the output SNR in the form of multiple Barnes-type contour integrals. By evaluating the inverse transform and converting the multiple contour integrals into infinite series, we are able to derive an expression for the pdf of the output SNR when the Nakagami fading parameters along the diversity branches take on real and arbitrary values. Consequently, the average bit-error rate can now be expressed in terms of Lauricella's multivariate hypergeometric function, which can be easily evaluated numerically. Special cases of the main results reduce to known results in the literature. The results, which apply to independent as well as correlated diversity branches, will be useful for predicting the system performances when the Nakagami fading parameters are real and arbitrary.     

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.     

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.     

Performance evaluation of L-maximal ratio combining diversity with estimation error for Shadowed Beaulieu-Xie fading channels

To provide the increasing demand for wireless technologies, high capacity with lower latency is vital. New emerging technologies like 5G, millimeter wave, THz, and so forth are able to characterize such complex fading and shadowed environments. Spatial diversity is one of the techniques to minimize fading in the wireless communication channel. The performance of the wireless communication system can be further optimized by using estimators at the receivers. The influence of imperfect channel estimation on the performance over shadowed Beaulieu-Xie (SBX) fading channels with L-maximal ratio combining (MRC) diversity is studied. The probability density function (PDF) of the received output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with L-MRC over SBX fading channels is derived. Further PDF of the received output SNR, outage probability, and average bit error rate (ABER) using the derived PDF is evaluated for L-MRC diversity with channel estimation error over SBX fading channels. ABER expression for Gray-coded rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation over the SBX channel is also evaluated. The study also includes how the system performs under the effect of different shadowing and fading parameters.     

Performance of generalized selection combining over Weibull fading channels

The literature is relatively sparse in performance analysis of diversity combining schemes over Weibull fading channels, despite the fact that the Weibull distribution is often found to be suitably fit for empirical fading channel measurements. In this paper, we capitalize on some interesting results due to Lieblein on the order statistics of Weibull random variables to derive exact closed‐form expressions for the combined average signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) as well as amount of fading (AF) at a generalized selection combining (GSC) output over Weibull fading channels. We also use some simple AF‐based mappings between the fading parameters of the Weibull distribution and those of the Nakagami, Rice, and Hoyt distributions to obtain the approximate but accurate average SNR and AF of GSC over these types of channels. The mathematical equations are validated and illustrated by some numerical examples for scenarios of practical interest. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance analysis of dual selection diversity in correlated Weibull fading channels

Ascertaining the importance of the dual selection combining (SC) receivers and the suitability of the Weibull model to describe mobile fading channels, we study the performance of a dual SC receiver over correlated Weibull fading channels with arbitrary parameters. Exact closed-form expressions are derived for the probability density function, the cumulative distribution function, and the moments of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Important performance criteria, such as average output SNR, amount of fading, outage probability, and average bit-error probability for several modulation schemes are studied. Furthermore, for these performance criteria, novel closed-form analytical expressions are derived. The proposed analysis is complemented by various performance evaluation results, including the effects of the input SNR's unbalancing, fading severity, and fading correlation on the overall system's performance. Computer simulation results have verified the validity and accuracy of the proposed analysis.     

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.     

Higher order statistics of antenna subset diversity

We use a virtual-branch technique to derive higher order statistics of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of antenna subset diversity in a multipath fading environment. In particular, closed-form expressions of the cumulants, central moments, skewness, and kurtosis for various antenna subset diversity schemes are derived. These measures characterize the statistical behavior of the output SNR distribution.     

Performance Analysis of System with Micro- and Macrodiversity Reception in Correlated Gamma Shadowed Rician Fading Channels

In this paper, the performance of wireless system employing microdiversity to mitigate the effects of short-term fading and macrodiversity to reduce long-term fading (shadowing) effects is studied. The system model assumes implementation of maximal-ratio combining (MRC) at the microlevel and selection combining (SC) at the macrolevel. The received signal envelope follows a Rician distribution and it also suffers gamma shadowing. Novel expressions for the probability density function (PDF), cumulative distribution function (CDF), and moment-generating function (MGF) of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are obtained. Several useful performance criteria, such as the moments of the output SNR and outage probability are analytically derived. Moreover, the average bit error probability (ABEP) for noncoherent binary differential phase-shift keying (BDPSK) is calculated using the MGF based approach while the ABEP for coherent binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) is studied by averaging the conditional bit error probability over the PDF. Numerical results are graphically presented to show the effects of various system parameters to the system performance, as well as the enhancement due to use of the combination of micro- and macrodiversity. Some of numerical results are complemented by equivalent computer simulated results which validate the accuracy of the proposed analysis. The agreement between the Rician-gamma and Rician-lognormal fading model is also established.     

Performance of Non-coherent MFSK with Selection and Switched Diversity Over Hoyt Fading Channel

A closed-form expression of cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the instantaneous signal to noise ratio (SNR) in Hoyt fading channel is derived. This CDF and associated formulas are then used to find out the error probability of non-coherent M-ary frequency shift keying with multichannel reception. Simple finite-range integral expression for the symbol error probability (SEP) with selection diversity is found through CDF method. Next, closed-form expressions of moment generating functions (MGF) are presented for the switched diversity case and SEP values are calculated using the derived MGFs. Some other performance parameters like, outage probability and average SNR with switched diversity, are provided. In addition, analytic frameworks are presented for calculation of optimum switching thresholds that ensure minimum outage probability or minimum SEP. The analysis is quite general in the sense that it covers switch and stay combining and Rayleigh fading as special cases.     

Performance of M-MRC receivers over TWDP fading channels

An expression of characteristic function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for two waves with diffused power (TWDP) fading channel is derived. Using this expression, the expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the output SNR of maximal ratio combining (MRC) receiver is obtained. Expressions for the performance matrix of MRC receiver over TWDP fading channels are also deduced. PDF based approach is followed to derive expressions of outage probability and average symbol error rate for coherent and non-coherent m-ary modulation schemes. Effects of the number of branches M and the fading parameters K and Δ on the system performance are studied. The results obtained are verified by Monte Carlo simulation.     

Unified error probability analysis for generalized selectioncombining in Nakagami fading channels

We study generalized selection combining (GSC) schemes in independent Nakagami fading channels, where N diversity branches with the largest instantaneous signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are selected from the total of L (N⩽L) branches and then coherently or noncoherently combined. We propose two different techniques to derive the moment generating function (MGF) expressions for the GSC output SNR in generalized Nakagami fading channels, where there are distinct and noninteger fading severity parameters, as well as different average SNRs in different diversity branches. For arbitrary fading severity parameter m_k, k=1, ···L, the MGF expression is given in a summation of N-dimensional definite integrals with the limits independent of SNR or channel parameters, and therefore can be evaluated very efficiently with numerical methods. Furthermore, for integer m_k closed-form MGF expressions are derived. Specializations of our results to Rayleigh channels and independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) Nakagami channels are presented, which are either new or equivalent to previously published results. Using the newly derived MGF expression, we provide a unified error probability analysis for many coherent and noncoherent modulation/detection schemes     

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.     

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.     

Analysis of equal gain diversity on Nakagami fading channels

An infinite series for the complementary probability distribution function (CDF) of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of L -branch equal-gain (EG) diversity combiners in Nakagami (1960) fading channels is derived. The bit error rate for a matched filter receiver is analyzed for the L-branch EG combiner and different fading parameters. Both coherent phase shift keying (CPSK) and differential coherent phase shift keying (DCPSK) are considered. The effects of gain unbalance between branches on the probability distribution of the SNR and on the bit error rates are investigated. Bit error rate results are also obtained for coherent and noncoherent reception of frequency shift keying (FSK). The effects of gain unbalances on FSK modulations are also investigated. Bit error rates for EG combining on Rayleigh fading channels are obtained for L>2. These results are presented as a special case of the more generalized Nakagami fading model     

Error analysis of noncoherent M-ary FSK with postdetection EGC overcorrelated Nakagami and Rician channels

We analyze the performance for the noncoherent reception of M-ary orthogonal frequency shift keying with postdetection equal gain combining over a correlated fading channel. Two kinds of correlated fading statistics are considered: (1) Nakagami fading in which the diversity branches can have unequal signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) as well as different m-parameters and (2) Rician fading in which the diversity branches can have unequal SNRs. Using the characteristic function of the combiner output SNR, closed-form expressions for the symbol error probability are obtained     

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.     

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.