Efficient simulation of frame and bit error rate in wireless systems with convolutional codes and correlated fading channels

This paper proposes an efficient semi-analytical simulation method for the evaluation of convolutional code performance over fading channels. The major emphasis is placed on frame transmission over correlated fading channels attracting great attention in wireless communications. The simulation method exploits the analytical evaluation of suitable bounds for frame and bit error probability conditioned to the fading process samples. The most general bound is an upper bound obtained by adapting a well-known hound for the AWGN channel to the fading channel. A second simple approximated (lower) bound is also introduced to allow the construction of a very efficient estimator for frame and hit error probability. The efficiency of the proposed method with respect to the usual simulation is investigated and the results prove the possibility of an accurate and fast evaluation in the region of low error probabilities.