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 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 have not been previously obtained for L > 2. These results are obtained and presented here as a special case of the more generalized Nakagami fading model.