Error Vector Magnitude Analysis of Fading SIMO Channels Relying on MRC Reception

We analytically characterize the data-aided error vector magnitude (EVM) performance of a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) communication system relying on maximal ratio combining (MRC) having either independent or correlated branches that are nonidentically distributed. In particular, exact closed form expressions are derived for the EVM in
$\eta\text{-}\mu$
fading and
$\kappa W\mu$
shadowed fading channels and these expressions are
validated
by simulations. The derived expressions are expressed in terms of Lauricella’s function of the fourth kind
$F_D^{(N)}(.)$
, which can be easily computed. Furthermore, we have simplified the derived expressions for various special cases such as independent and identically distributed branches, Rayleigh fading, Nakagami-
m
fading, and
$\kappa\text{-}\mu$
fading. Additionally, a parametric study of the EVM performance of the wireless system is presented.