Differential detection algorithms for MSK signals over AWGN and frequency-flat Rayleigh fading channels

Novel symbol-by-symbol differential detection algorithms are proposed for minimum-shift keying signals transmitted over additive white Gaussian noise and frequency-flat Rayleigh fading channels. They are derived as approximations to the maximum likelihood noncoherent detection strategy. Their error performance is assessed by computer simulation and is compared with that of other noncoherent detectors. It is shown that, with fading channels, the new algorithms outperform the traditional methods.