We evaluate and optimize the performance of switch and stay diversity syste
ms which have the advantage of offering one of the least complex solutions
to mitigating the effect of Fading, We study the impart of fading type and
severity, unbalanced branches, fading correlation, and imperfect channel es
timation on the performance of these systems, and compare this performance
with that of more complex diversity schemes such as maximal-ratio combining
and selection combining. We also propose, analyze, and optimize the perfor
mance of a generalized switched diversity scheme. In summary, the presented
results offer a simple, generic, and useful analytical tool for the accura
te performance evaluation and optimization of switched diversity systems.