On Computing the Distribution Function for the Sum of Independent and Non-identical Random Indicators

The Poisson binomial distribution is the distribution of the sum of independent and non-identical random indicators. Each indicator follows a Bernoulli distribution with individual success probability. When all success probabilities are equal, the Poisson binomial distribution is a binomial distribution. The Poisson binomial distribution has many applications in different areas such as reliability, survival analysis, survey sampling, econometrics, etc. The computing of the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the Poisson binomial distribution, however, is not straightforward. Approximation methods such as the Poisson approximation and normal approximations have been used in literature. Recursive formulae also have been used to compute the cdf in some areas. In this paper, we present a simple derivation for an exact formula with a closed-form expression for the cdf of the Poisson binomial distribution. The derivation uses the discrete Fourier transform of the characteristic function of the distribution. We develop an algorithm for efficient implementation of the exact formula. Numerical studies were conducted to study the accuracy of the developed algorithm and the accuracy of approximation methods. We also studied the computational efficiency of different methods. The paper is concluded with a discussion on the use of different methods in practice and some suggestions for practitioners.