Performance of L-Branch MRC Receiver in η-μ and κ-μ Fading Channels for QAM Signals

Error performance of a L-branch maximal ratio combining (MRC) receiver in η-μ and κ-μ fading channels is analyzed. A simple and highly accurate approximation to the average symbol error rate (ASER) expression of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme is derived. Steps to extend the approach to analyze ASER performance of coherent, differentially encoded quadri-phase shift-keying (DE-QPSK) and π/4-QPSK schemes are also stated. Numerically evaluated results are plotted and compared with Monte Carlo simulation to verify the accuracy of the derivation.