Performance analysis of compact antenna arrays with MRC in correlated Nakagami fading channels

Abstract

This paper presents the average error probability performance of a compact space diversity receiver for the reception of binary coherent and noncoherent modulation signals through a correlated Nakagami (1960) fading channel. Analytical expressions of the average bit error rate (BER) are derived as a function of the covariance matrix of the multipath component signals at the antenna elements. Closed-form expressions for the spatial cross-correlation are obtained under a Gaussian angular power profile assumption, taking account of the mutual coupling between antenna elements. The effects of antenna array configuration (geometry and electromagnetic coupling) and the operating environment (fading, angular spread, mean angle-of-arrival) on the BER performance are illustrated.