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Statistical Models for Fading and Shadowed Fading Channels in Wireless Systems: A Pedagogical Perspective

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Abstract

A unified analysis of statistical models for describing fading, shadowing, and shadowed fading channels is presented from a pedagogical viewpoint. The different probability density functions such the Rayleigh, Nakagami, gamma, generalized gamma, Weibull, lognormal, Nakagami-lognormal, K distribution, generalized K distribution, and Nakagami inverse Gaussian distribution are presented and the relationships among them are detailed. These density functions are compared in terms of two quantitative measures, namely the amount of fading and outage probability. A general approach to fading and shadowed fading channels using a cluster based approach is also presented to link several of the distributions. It is expected that this overview will be very helpful to students and educators who are engaged in the study of wireless systems and the adverse impact of fading and shadowing in wireless data transmission.

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  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    P. M. Shankar

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  1. P. M. Shankar
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Shankar, P.M. Statistical Models for Fading and Shadowed Fading Channels in Wireless Systems: A Pedagogical Perspective. Wireless Pers Commun 60, 191–213 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-010-9938-2

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