John R. Juroshek

Abstract:

An approximate method for estimating the performance of digital systems operating with co-channel interference and Gaussian additive noise is described. The method uses Monte-Carlo techniques and an approximation, based on the geometrical characterization of signals, to estimate the error rate of a variety of digital systems as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-interference ratio. Curves are presented that show excellent agreement between the estimates and theoretical predictions at symbol and bit error rates as low as 10^-9. Computer programs are included that estimate error rate for multiphase coherent phase-shift keyed (CPSK), noncoherent frequency-shift keyed (NCFSK), differentially coherent phase-shift keyed (DCPSK), and coherent amplitude-phase-shift keyed (CAPK) systems. The programs can handle single as well as multiple co-channel interference, and examples are given that show error rate in both environments.

Keywords: interference; digital systems; error rate; co-channel interference; modems; Monte Carlo techniques; digital performance

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