Performance Evaluation of Communication Channels by Computer Simulation

Abstract

A computer simulation model capable of aiding in the design and predicting the performance of complex end-to-end communication systems is described in this paper. The model is used to choose the optimal modulation scheme under certain communication channel constraints, define the signal distortion characteristics introduced by realizable channel components and select the demodulator/bit synchronizer designs for minimization of bit error rate. A parameter sensitivity analysis is conducted to demonstrate the usefulness of the model in evaluating the effect of different signal distortion phenomena on overall link performance.