Performance analysis of a predetection EGC receiver in exponentially correlated nakagami-m fading channels for noncoherent binary modulations

Average symbol error rate (ASER) of an equal gain combining (EGC) receiver with an arbitrary number of branches in exponentially correlated, Nakagami-m fading channels has been derived for binary, differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) and noncoherent frequency-shift keying (NCFSK) modulations. A Parseval's theorem based approach has been used. Numerical and simulation results have been found to be in close agreement. Results show that for a given ASER, as expected, exponentially correlated fading requires a higher SNR with respect to independent fading. For a given number of branches L, increase in SNR required (SNR penalty) with respect to independent fading is less for higher values of fading parameter m while for a given m, SNR penalty is more for higher L