Implementation of space and path diversity reception using array processing MLSE

A space and path diversity reception using a four-antenna array processing maximum likelihood sequence estimation (AP-MLSE) is implemented. The scheme combines space diversity branches to maximize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) of the direct and one-symbol delayed paths using a pair of single constraint sample matrix inversion (SMI) array processors and a branch-metric-combining MLSE. A laboratory experiment is conducted to measure the bit error rate (BER) performance for frequency-selective fading channels in a 4.096 Mb/s time-division multiple-access (TDMA) transmission system. For comparison, the BER for a four-antenna SMI array processor (space-only diversity) is also implemented and measured simultaneously under identical conditions. The measured results show that the space and diversity reception using AP-MLSE provides a significantly improved BER compared with that for the SMI array