Method and apparatus for generating bit errors with a poisson error distribution

A method for approximating a Poisson distribution, the method comprising:

• generating random bit sequences each comprising N bits by modulo-2 addition of at least first and second pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBS) for plurality of clock cycles over a period of time until a particular number of the N-bit random sequences have been generated, wherein when said at least first and second PRBSs are modulo-2 added together, N, A-bit pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBSs) are produced, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:
• comparing each of said N, A-bit PRBSs to an A-bit threshold sequence each clock cycle to generate one of said random N-bit sequences each clock cycle.

A computer program for approximating a Poisson distribution, the computer program being embodied on a computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium comprising:

• a routine for generating random bit sequences each comprising N bits by modulo-2 addition of at least first and second pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBS) for plurality of clock cycles over a period of time until a particular number of the N-bit random sequences have been generated, wherein when said at least first and second PRBSs are modulo-2 added together, N, A-bit pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBSs) are produced, and wherein the routine further comprises:
• a code segment for comparing each of said N, A-bit PRBSs to an A-bit threshold sequence each clock cycle to generate one of said random N-bit sequences each clock cycle.