Development and Description of an Output Criteria Function and Performance Measure

The problem is that of predicting interference focuses on 1) the equipment output in the presence of interference, and 2) the relation between a given output and the equipment performance. To designate the investigation of an equipment output in relation to the device performance, we use the term output criteria. Output criteria are methods for evaluating system device outputs relative to prescribed standards. This paper introduces a method for obtaining such criteria. This paper defines a function for the output criteria in terms of the various elements that would exist in any general interference situation. The desired function yields a performance measure expressed in general system performance terms (e.g., percent system efficiency). This report also notes certain instances in which currently used criteria correspond to portions of the overall performance measure described. The various elements used in the performance measure are also discussed in terms of their interrelationships as well as their meaning relative to physically significant interference situations. A hypothetical signal and interference environment is described and a matrix is defined which describes 1) all the signal and interference combinations under consideration, and 2) for each specific signal and interference combination, the various decisions which could be made at the equipment output regarding the signal and interference believed to have been present. The decision matrix is used to define the events for which cost estimates must be made.