Asymptotic Error Rate Analysis for Dual-Branch Diversity Combining on Correlated Rician Channels

An asymptotic error rate performance analysis has been reported recently for maximum ratio combining on correlated Rician channels; however, a similar approach cannot be applied to equal gain combining or selection combining. A novel approach is introduced to analyze the asymptotic error rate performances of equal gain combining and selection combining on dual-branch correlated Rician channels. The asymptotic error rate performances of popular diversity combining techniques are compared and some insights are obtained that explain some behaviors previously considered unexpected. The impacts of various channel parameters on the asymptotic performances of these diversity combining techniques are studied comprehensively. Some previous observations on diversity performances on correlated Rician channels are unified and further extended.