Error rate expressions for TCM with diversity and finite interleaving in Rayleigh fading channels

This paper analyzes the performance of trellis coded modulation (TCM) in a mobile radio channel considering finite interleaving and diversity reception with correlated antennas. An exact expression of the pairwise error event probability is derived, from which an approximation for the bit error rate can be obtained. The pairwise error event probability expression resembles the classical expression for the bit error rate (BER) of maximal ratio diversity combining with dissimilar SNRs on the diversity branches. Asymptotic forms of the expression provides insight into code design parameters. The formulae provided in this paper are verified by comparison with link simulation results