An Analytical Framework for the Performance Evaluation of Optimum Combining for M-PSK Signals

In this paper we derive the exact symbol error probability (SEP) for coherent detection of M-ary PSK signals using an array of antennas with optimum combining in a Rayleigh fading environment. In particular, performance analysis in the presence of multiple uncorrelated equal-power co-channel interferers and thermal noise is considered. Our result, requiring only one integral with finite integration limits, is general and valid for arbitrary numbers of receiving antennas or co-channel interferers.