Simrar: Simulated receiver and recorder for statistical measurements

Abstract

SummarySimrar is an analog radio receiver simulator and statistical recorder. The simulator is composed of typical analog computer components which provide versatility in simulating receiving systems. A control circuit automatically cycles the machine through a present number of statistical trials. On each trial, amplitude discriminator circuits determine if the input to the measurement system has exceeded a selected threshold level. Counters record the total number of trials on which each threshold level has been exceeded, and over a large number of trials an accurate estimate is obtained for the probability that a level will be exceeded.The author describes the design and operation of Simrar in fixed time and sequential decision processes. Although its principal use has been in studies of signal detection, the versatility of Simrar makes it a useful device in more general statistical studies.