Forward error correcting and diversity methods for fading channels

Diversity combining and forward errors correcting codes are techniques to combat the bad error performance on Rayleigh fading channels. Coherent PSK and noncoherent FSK are possible modulation schemes for data transmission on such channels. The error performance of maximum likelihood decisions based on different combining methods of diversity signals is analyzed. The relationship between diversity combining and Viterbi decoding of convolutional codes on an interleaved Rayleigh channel is demonstrated. Coding and diversity is compared under several constraints. Viterbi decoding using channel state information shows an advantage up to 12 dB relative to comparable diversity schemes.