Roundoff error analysis of the discrete Wigner distribution using fixed-point arithmetic

The issue of roundoff noise effects in the implementation of the discrete Wigner distribution using fixed-point arithmetic is addressed. The sign-magnitude number representation is assumed throughout the analysis. The measure of roundoff noise effects in an algorithm is the output noise-to-signal ratio. Using a statistical model, an analytical expression of the noise-to-signal ratio is derived as a function of the wordlength b and the transform length N. The noise-to-signal ratio is obtained by evaluating the signal and noise powers at different points in the algorithm, then reflecting to the output both signal and noise powers. Based on the derived noise-to-signal ratio is is noted that if the transform length is doubled, then) one additional bit is required in the wordlength to maintain a constant noise-to-signal ratio. It is demonstrated through the software simulations that the predicted noise-to-signal ratio is a good closed-form estimate of the `true´ roundoff error. It is also found from the simulation that the wordlength b and the transform length N=2^v must satisfy the condition b- v⩾4