Cholesky decomposition model for correlated MRC diversity systems in Nakagami fading channels

A novel statistical model for the combined output of maximal ratio combining (MRC) diversity systems in Nakagami fading channels with correlated branches is presented. Cholesky decomposition is used to transform correlated diversity branches into uncorrelated branches, so that the analysis previously developed for MRC systems with independent diversity branches can be applied. The proposed model can accommodate any correlation values among the diversity branches, any m (integer or non-integral) parameters and any combinations of m/P (P stands for power) ratios. Validity and applicability of the proposed model are confirmed by appropriate analysis and simulations. With this achievement, we provide an efficient approach to evaluate the MRC system performance in a wide variety of arbitrary Nakagami fading environment.