Bit-error probability analysis of compact antenna arrays with maximal-ratio combining in correlated Nakagami fading

This paper presents the bit-error probability performance of a compact space diversity receiver for the reception of binary non-coherent and coherent phase-shift-keying (PSK) and frequency shift keying (FSK) signals through a correlated Nakagami (1960) fading channel. Analytical expressions for 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. This analysis provides a direct means of computing the average BER as a function of the array characteristics and the operating environment for a wide range of multipath fading conditions. The effects of the antenna array spacing, mutual coupling, and the operating environment (the angular spread and mean angle-of-arrival) on the BER performance are illustrated