The throughput performance of a slotted, non-persistent Idle-Signal Casting Multiple Access (ICMA) protocol under the effects of various combinations of Rayleigh fading, lognormal shadowing, and spatial distribution of mobile users is studied. The opposing effects of propagation impairments on the performance of the protocol through simultaneously increasing the probability of receiver capture and attenuation of the received signal power level are demonstrated.

A complete theory for the analysis of narrowband binary FM with limiter-discriminator detection in a fast Rayleigh as well as a Rician fading channel is presented. Error rate results which are in close agreement with experimental measurements are obtained for both cases and compared against the nonfaded benchmark. The use of digital FM and other modulation schemes in a fading environment is also discussed in relation to the nonfaded benchmark. It is suggested that DQPSK with its high spectral efficiency is suitable for land-based cellular mobile communications while binary FM with limiter-discriminator detection is appropriate for satellite-based mobile radio systems.

Markov chain models are used to derive the average stationary throughput and delay performance of Idle-Signal Casting Multiple Access (ICMA), with and without Failure Detection (/FD), protocols which are suitable for use in mobile packet radio local area networks, where propagation impairments are prevalent. The models consider the effects of pure Rayleigh fading on channel access and packet transmission. Numerical results, validated by computer simulations, are obtained that enable a quantitative study of the performance of the protocols. It is found that the performance of the ICMA/FD protocol is affected more significantly by fading on the base-to-mobile channel than is the performance of the ICMA protocol. In addition, performance improves with larger packet sizes eventhough such packets are more vulnerable to failure due to fading.

A new error rate formula for narrowband Differential Quaternary Phase Shift Keyed system in a Rayleigh fading channel is obtained in closed-form. The formula predicts a non-zero error probability for noiseless reception. As predicted, the computed error rates approach some constant or floor values as the signal-to-noise ratio is increased beyond a certain limit. In the presence of various Doppler frequency shifts, an IF filter bandwidth of about one times the symbol rate is found to lead to a minimum error probability prior to the appearence of the error rate floor.