Performance evaluation for multichannel reception of coherent MPSK over frequency selective fading channels

This paper provides a framework for error rate performance analysis of maximal ratio combining multichannel reception of coherent M-ary phase-shift keying (MPSK) systems over slowly fading channels. Each channel is described by a two-sided discrete model with correlated complex Gaussian taps based on bandlimiting an underlying WSSUS physical channel. The resulting "resolved channel" performance evaluation incorporates the inherent multipath resolution taking into account the fact that phase recovery operates on the resolved main path. The received phase-density function is developed. Conditional bit and symbol error probabilities are determined and the cases for which closed-form or acceptable numerical solutions exist are delineated. A new efficient and accurate recursive solution for the Ricean-fading main resolved path case is presented, which is applicable to both the flat and frequency selective cases. A progressive intersymbol interference (ISI) bound is discussed for the frequency selective case to minimize computation. Examples using the maritime high-data rate line-of-sight (LOS) channel model demonstrate the framework versatility and the ability to simultaneously investigate the important parameters in the frequency selective environment.