Performance analysis of generalized selection combining with switching constraints

Generalized selection combining (GSC), in which the best L/sub c/ out of L independent diversity channels are linearly combined has been previously proposed and analyzed for Rayleigh fading channels. GSC is a less complex alternative to maximal ratio combining (MRC) that provides a performance gain over traditional selection combining (SC). Both MRC and SC are special cases of CSC, with L/sub c/=L and L/sub c/=1, respectively. We show that CSC also dramatically reduces the impact of switching rate constraints, whereby a selection must be held for the duration of a packet.