Different diversity techniques such as Maximal-Ratio Combining (MRC), Equal-Gain Combining (EGC) and Selection Combining (SC) are described and analyzed. Two branches (N=2) diversity systems that are used for pre-detection combining have been investigated and computed. The statistics of carrier to noise ratio (CNR) and carrier to interference ratio (CIR) without diversity assuming Rayleigh fading model have been examined and then measured for diversity systems. The probability of error (p_e) vs CNR and (p_e) versus CIR have also been obtained. The fading dynamic range of the instantaneous CNR and CIR is reduced remarkably when diversity systems are used [1]. For a certain average probability of error, a higher valued average CNR and CIR is in need for non-diversity systems [1]. But a smaller valued of CNR and CIR are compared to diversity systems. The overall conclusion is that maximal-ratio combining (MRC) achieves the best performance improvement compared to other combining methods. Diversity techniques are very useful to improve the performance of high speed wireless channel to transmit data and information. The problems which considered in this thesis are not new but I have tried to organize, prove and analyze in new ways.

This thesis presents the results of the development of a user-friendly computer code (in MATLAB) that can be used to calculate co-channel interferences, both in the downlink and in the uplink of a single satellite/space-based mobile communications system, due to the reuse of frequencies in spot beams or coverage cells. The analysis and computer code can be applied to any type of satellite or platform elevated at any height above earth. The cells or beams are defined in the angular domain, as measured from the satellite or the elevated platform, and cell centers are arranged in a hexagonal lattice. The calculation is only for a given instant of time for which the system parameters are input into the program. The results obtained in one program run are for the overall carrier to interference ratio (CIR) along with CIR for both the uplink and downlink paths. An overall carrier to noise plus interference ratio (CNIR) is also calculated, which exemplifies the degradation in the carrier to noise ratio (CNR) of the system. Comparisons for systems with differing system scenarios are also made. For example, overall CIRs are compared for different reuse numbers (3, 4, 7, and 13) in LEO and GEO satellite systems. In conclusion, as expected, it is observed that the co-channel interference generally increases as we decrease the reuse number employed for the frequency reuse in the cells. It is also observed that co-channel interference can cause substantial degradation to the overall CNR of a system. / Master of Science