Techniques for estimating the bit error rate in the simulation of digital communication systems

Computer simulation techniques to estimate the bit error rate performance of digital communications systems are described. These techniques include: Monte Carlo simulation, modified Monte Carlo simulation (importance sampling), classical and generalized extreme value theory, tail extrapolation, and the quasi-analytical approach (combined noiseless simulation with analytical representation of noise). The interrelationships of these methods are shown along with the assumptions that are invoked in order to apply them.