Predetection Switched Combining in Correlated Rician Fading

The performance of dual-branch predetection switch-and-stay combining (SSC) in correlated Rician fading is considered in conjunction with several modulation formats. Analytical expressions are derived for the average symbol error rate (SER) of predetection SSC in correlated Rician fading. Switching thresholds that minimize the average SER are obtained. The impact of fading factor and the fading correlation on the performance of predetection SSC is studied. Analytical expressions for the output average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the outage probability are derived. The validity of the analytical expressions are verified using Monte Carlo simulation.