Block Error Performance of Noncoherent FSK Modulation on Rayleigh Fading Channels

In this paper, the calculation of the probability
P_{f}(M, N)
of more than
M
bit errors in a block of
N
bits transmitted over a Rayleigh fading channel using noncoherent frequency shift keying is considered. Accurate approximations to
P_{f}(M, N)
are derived under the assumption of very slow fading. Approximations are also given when a selection diversity system is used. An application of the results to the calculation of the block error rate when the assumption of very slow fading is relaxed is then discussed.