Week 10

BER and Error Probability

I use the saved course file to reconnect sampling, baseband transmission, digital modulation, and error-rate analysis.

Digital Communications course visual
Course visual for this study sequence.

What I connect in this unit

The Q-function gives a Gaussian decision variable tail probability, and Eb/N0 compares bit energy with noise density. A theoretical BER curve is the receiver-model reference, while a Monte Carlo estimate approximates it from observed error events.

Concept map

  1. Q-function
  2. Eb/N0
  3. Theoretical BER
  4. Monte Carlo estimates

Technical anchor

For coherent BPSK, theoretical BER is Pb = Q(√(2Eb/N0)), and a simulation estimate is BERhat = Nerror/Nbit.

How I review it

Set a target number of errors per Eb/N0 point before defining the bit-generation loop, and mark high-SNR estimates with too few errors as statistically uncertain.

Connection to the full course

Unit 10 of 12. Unit numbers expand topics from the saved file into a concept sequence, not an attendance-week record.

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