A computer program for communications channel modeling and simulation

The Channel Modeling Program (CMP) is a general-purpose simulation program especially suited for simulation of satellite communications systems. This paper describes the capabilities of CMP and discusses the theory and concepts used in the implementation of the program. An illustrative example of CMP use is also given. CMP is an effective tool for analyzing and comparing various communications channel configurations. A randomly modulated signal is first generated, which then may pass through various system elements, such as modulators/demodulators, nonlinear amplifiers, filters, and digital receivers. CMP calculates the average values of steady-state performance measures, including bit-error rates and signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, graphical outputs such as signal envelopes, eye patterns, scatter diagrams, phase-plane trajectories, and power spectral density plots provide qualitative measures of the system performance.