On the accuracy of the Gaussian approximation for performance analysis of spread-spectrum channels

In this paper, we evaluate the accuracy of the Gaussian approximation on the performance and stability of a DS/CDMA network in the presence of multiple access interference (MAI). The evaluation is based on two methods: the standard Gaussian and improved Gaussian approximations. We compare the results of computation of bit error rate (HER), packet success probability, throughput, delay and stability with the above two methods. The work presented in this paper also leads a simplified and accurate method of stability analysis for a CDMA network in the presence of MAI.