Power Loading Algorithms for SEC Diversity Schemes

Switch and examine combing (SEC) diversity scheme is one of the simplest diversity schemes to combat fading. When the power used for probing the channels in this scheme is fixed, it can be higher than what is actually required. In this paper, the effect of using different power loading levels as diversity channels are being probed is examined and closed form expressions for the average number of probes, average consumed power, average bit error rate and output SNR are given. The proposed scheme can help in optimizing battery usage and in reducing interference. It is shown that the proposed Power loading schemes lead to large saving on the average power for the same feedback load, and little degradation of the average bit error rate.