Calculation of error probability for MSK and OQPSK systems operating in a fading multipath environment

A technique is given for determining the error-rate performance of a class of digital communication systems operating with fading multipath interference. The approach uses a truncated series to represent the fading process and takes into account the effects of intersymbol interference caused by linear filtering in the receiver or channel. Application of the method to the cases of minimum shift keyed (MSK) and offset quadriphase shift key (OQPSK) systems reveals a slight performance advantage for MSK.