A Novel Generalized Framework for Performance Analysis of Selection Combining Diversity

A novel generalized framework for performance analysis of selection combining diversity in Rayleigh fading channels is derived. It is shown that the performance of arbitrary systems used with selection combining diversity can be expressed in terms of only the performance of the system on a single branch Rayleigh fading channel. The results are valid for coded and uncoded transmission as well as for balanced (equal power) diversity branches and unbalanced (unequal power) diversity branches. The generalized framework encompasses both general noise and general interference, and allows correlated noise and correlated interference sources. Applications of the generalized framework to analytical, semi-analytical and simulation based performance evaluation of digital modulation schemes are discussed.