Error probability for coherent and differential PSK over arbitrary Rician fading channels with multiple cochannel interferers

This paper discusses the performance of communication systems using binary coherent and differential phase-shift keyed (PSK) modulation, in correlated Rician fading channels with diversity reception. The presence of multiple Rician-faded cochannel users, which may have arbitrary and nonidentical parameters, is modeled exactly. Exact bit error probability (BEP) expressions are derived via the moment generating functions (MGFs) of the relevant decision statistics, which are obtained through coherent detection with maximum ratio combining for coherent PSK modulation, and differential detection with equal gain combining (EGC) for differential modulation. Evaluating the exact expressions requires a complexity that is exponential in the number of interferers. To avoid this potentially time-consuming operation, we derive two low-complexity approximate methods each for coherent and differential modulation formats, which are more accurate than the traditional Gaussian approximation approach. Two new and interesting results of this analysis are: 1) unlike in the case of Rayleigh fading channels, increasing correlation between diversity branches may lead to better performance in Rician fading channels and 2) the phase distribution of the line-of-sight or static fading components of the desired user has a significant influence on the BEP performance in correlated diversity channels.