BER due to Intersymbol Interference in Maximal-Ratio Combining Reception Analyzed Based on Equivalent Transmission-Path Model

The equivalent transmission-path model is a propagation-oriented channel model for predicting the bit error rate due to intersymbol interference in single-input single-output systems. We extend this model to develop a new calculation scheme for maximal-ratio combining diversity reception in single-input multiple-output configurations. A key part of the study is to derive a general formula expressing the joint probability density function of the amplitude ratio and phase difference of the two-path model. In this derivation, we mainly take a theoretical approach with the aid of Monte Carlo simulation. Then, very high-accuracy estimation of the average bit error rate due to intersymbol interference (ISI) for CQPSK calculated based on the model is confirmed by computer simulation. Finally, we propose a very simple calculation formula for the prediction of the BER due to ISI that is commonly applicable to various modulation/demodulation schemes, such as CQPSK, DQPSK, 16QAM, and CBPSK in maximal-ratio combining diversity reception.