Local average signal estimation in Nakagami-m channels

Information about the spatial local mean signal values is used as a control information in many practical aspects of digital communications. However, there are just few analytical papers that give recommendations for the signal samples postprocessing (in post-Rayleigh channels only), which should enable us to estimate these local mean values accurately. In this paper, the most general recommendations for the signal spatial averaging in post- and pre-Rayleigh channels are derived, assuming Nakagami-m distribution of multipath. Obtained results are consistent with generally known Lee´s recommendation [1] for signal averaging in outdoor cells. Additionally, the proposed methodology and derived equations provide analytical confirmation of empirical results obtained experimentally in indoor [2] and enable us to derive recommendations for spatial signal averaging in channels with a large amount of multipath.