Performance analysis of L-branch maximal ratio combining over generalised η − μ fading channels with imperfect channel estimation

摘要

In this study, the authors analyse the performance of maximal-ratio combining in η − μ fading channels under imperfect channel estimation. More specifically, unified and novel analytical expressions for the average symbol error probability (SEP) and average channel capacity are obtained. The average SEP expression is valid for a wide range of coherent and non-coherent modulation schemes. The system performance is analysed and discussed through some representative numerical examples. Furthermore, to validate the correctness of the authors’ derivations, the numerical results are compared with Monte-Carlo simulation results. Both results are in excellent agreement over a wide range of average signal-to-noise ratio and different values of the fading parameters.