A simple and accurate α-μ approximation to crossing rates in EGC and MRC receivers undergoing Nakagami-m fading

In this paper, using an approach based on moment estimators, we propose highly accurate closed-form approximations for the level crossing rate of multibranch equal-gain and maximal-ratio combiners operating on independent non-identically distributed Nakagami-m fading channels. As the exact solutions, for both combiners, are given in terms of multifold integrals, our approximate results provide more efficiency of the computational point of view, mainly when the number of diversity branches increases. Some numerical plots are depicted and a very good agreement is ascertained between the analytical and approximate curves.