Level crossing rate and average fade duration of MRC and EGC diversity in Ricean fading

The average level crossing rate and average fade duration of the output signal of a maximal ratio combiner (MRC) and equal gain combiner (EGC), operating on independent Ricean fading input branch signals, are derived. Exact, closed-form results are obtained for MRC diversity, while precise expressions for EGC diversity are presented with an infinite series method. The results are valid for an arbitrary number of independent, identically distributed diversity branches, isotropic scattering, and a specular component perpendicular to the line of motion of the mobile. Index Terms--Diversity methods, fade duration, fading channels, level crossing rate.