On the performance of dual-branch selection diversity combining in alpha-kappa-mu fading environments

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of a dual-branch selection combining (SC) system is analyzed over alpha-kappa-mu fading channels. First, an outage probability (OP) expression is presented for a dual-branch diversity with the SC scheme in alpha-kappa-mu fading channels by using cumulative distribution function (CDF). By using the probability density function (PDF) and CDF of alpha-kappa-mu distribution, the PDF of total output instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is obtained which is subsequently utilized for the analysis of the considered system. Based on this PDF expression, bit error probability (BEP) expressions are derived with the use of a simple and tight upper bound approximation of Gaussian Q-function. In addition to these, we propose analytical effective capacity (EC) expressions for a dual-branch SC system under alpha-kappa-mu fading conditions. Then, we present simplified expressions for the OP, BEP, and EC at high SNR. Finally, we illustrate the OP, BEP (for binary phase shift keying and quadrature phase shift keying modulation formats), and EC performances for different configurations of alpha, kappa, and mu parameters. In order to validate our analytical results, comparisons between the exact simulations and analytical results are also provided.