An accurate closed-form approximation of the average probability of error over a log-normal fading channel

The log-normal probability distribution is commonly used in wireless communications to model the shadowing and more recently the small scale fading for indoor ultra wideband communications. In this paper, an accurate closed-form approximation of the average probability of error over a log-normal fading channel is derived for various constellation types and sizes. This expression can be used to evaluate and compare easily the symbol-error performance of communication systems over a log-normal fading channel.