Multiple Diversity with Nonindependent Fading

Abstract

Previous analyses of diversity techniques are extended to include the performance of an optimum (maximal-ratio) combiner in the case of nonindependent signal fading fluctuations, for an arbitrary number of diversity branches. The analysis includes the general possibility of correlations among the quadrature components of the various signals. Some computational simplifications for certain cases of physical interest are given, as well as a specific application to two problems in digital communications.