K–µ fading channels: a finite state Markov modelling approach

Abstract

Finite state Markov channel (FSMC) is the automatic choice for accurate modelling of slow fading channels with memory. FSMC model for a k–µ fading channel is investigated in this paper. Small-scale variations of the fading signal under Line-Of-Sight conditions are represented by k–µ fading distributions. Here, FSMC is constructed by partitioning the fading amplitude into several regions. Each region corresponds to a particular state in the Markov model. The transition among these channel states characterizes the physical fading process. Performance measures such as steady-state probability, state-transition probability, level crossing rate and state-time duration corresponding to the k–µ fading channel are derived, plotted and analysed. Finally, numerical results prove that FSMC modelling provides an effective way to reflect the nature of the k–µ fading channel.