Poisson Random Variate Generation.
Abstract
Approximate algorithms have long been the only available methods for generating Poisson random variates when the mean is large. A new algorithm is developed that is exact, has execution time insensitive to the value of the mean, and is valid whenever the mean is greater than ten. This algorithm is compared to the three other algorithms which have been developed recently for generating Poisson variates when the mean is large. Criteria used are set-up time, marginal execution time, memory requirements, and lines of code. New simple tight bounds on Poisson probabilities contribute to the speed of the algorithm, but are useful in a general context. In addition, Poisson variate generation is surveyed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA111883
Entities
People
- Bruce Schmeiser
- Voratas Kachitvichyanukul
Organizations
- Purdue University