Error Probability Evaluation for Systems Employing Differential Detection in a Rician Fast Fading Environment and Gaussian Noise

A method is presented for determining the error probability of a receiver using differential detection in the presence of Gaussian noise and fast Rician fading. Equations for the covariances of the fading component are derived, which include the effect of IF filter distortion. It is shown that these equations may be readily evaluated numerically. A simple formula for the error probability is derived for systems using BPSK and a matched filter receiver. An example of the error probability is given using this receiver. Also given is an example of a system using MSK with a practical IF filter. Different spectral shapes and bandwidths for the fading process are investigated for this example and their effect on the error probability is determined.