Error performance of orthogonal signaling family in ricean-fading channels with maximal ratio combining

The performance of the orthogonal signaling family in Ricean-fading channels is considered in this correspondence. Exact and easy to evaluate bit-error rate (BER) and symbol-error rate (SER) expressions are derived for the coherent reception of orthogonal, biorthogonal, and transorthogonal signaling in Ricean-fading channels with maximal ratio combining. The Nakagami approximation for Ricean-fading channels is examined and the probability of error expressions obtained from our new method are illustrated to guide the design of modulation schemes in fading channels.