Digital transmission through a land mobile satellite channel

An analytical derivation of the probability of bit error noncoherent frequency-shift keying (FSK) and coherent phase-shift keying (PSK) signals transmitted through a land-mobile satellite channel is described. The channel characteristics used in the analysis are based on a recently developed model which includes the combined effects of fading and shadowing. Analytical expressions for the probability of bit error of FSK and coherent phase-shift keying (CPSK) signals are obtained. The results show that large amounts of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are required to compensate for the combined effect of fading and shadowing. An analytical expression for the irreducible probability of bit error of a CPSK signal due to phase variations caused by fading and shadowing is derived. The results described should be useful in the design of land mobile satellite communication systems