Abstract: A method of simulating communication channel noise comprising generating, by a FPGA or ASIC, a stream of uniformly distributed random variables using a cryptographic algorithm, applying a mathematical transform to the uniformly distributed random variables using the FPGA or ASIC to create a signal comprised of normally distributed random variables, adjusting a mean and variance of the signal using the FPGA or ASIC, outputting, by the FPGA or ASIC, an output noise signal, adding, by the FPGA or ASIC, I and Q samples of the output noise signal to I and Q symbols of a data carrier signal at complex baseband, modulating, using a modulator, the summed I and Q symbols to create a composite carrier signal, and upconverting using an upconverter, the composite carrier signal for transmission across a telecommunications channel to simulate a noisy telecommunications channel.

Abstract: A logarithmic (LOG) based adaptive algorithm to track RF power received at a receiver is provided. The method includes: receiving, by a variable gain amplifier (VGA) having exponential gain characteristics, an input signal; and providing log-based gain control of the input signal by determining a power of the input signal, and generating, according to the determined power, a voltage control signal using a log-based function, wherein the VGA amplifies the input signal based on the voltage control signal.