Performance analysis of predetection EGC in exponentially correlated Nakagami-m fading channel

Using a Gil-Palaez lemma-based approach, we derive a general expression for the bit-error rate of a predetection equal gain combining receiver for coherent binary phase-shift keying modulation in exponentially correlated, Nakagami-m fading channel for an arbitrary number of branches. The obtained expressions are different for even and odd numbers of branches. Numerical results have been corroborated with simulations.