Symbol level decoding of Reed-Solomon codes with improved reliability information over fading channels

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, 2016Reliable and e cient data transmission have been the subject of current research, most especially in realistic channels such as the Rayleigh fading channels. The focus of every new technique is to improve the transmission reliability and to increase the transmission capacity of the communication links for more information to be transmitted. Modulation schemes such as M-ary Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (M-QAM) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) were developed to increase the transmission capacity of communication links without additional bandwidth expansion, and to reduce the design complexity of communication systems. On the contrary, due to the varying nature of communication channels, the message transmission reliability is subjected to a couple of factors. These factors include the channel estimation techniques and Forward Error Correction schemes (FEC) used in improving the message reliability. Innumerable channel estimation techniques have been proposed independently, and in combination with di erent FEC schemes in order to improve the message reliability. The emphasis have been to improve the channel estimation performance, bandwidth and power consumption, and the implementation time complexity of the estimation techniques. Of particular interest, FEC schemes such as Reed-Solomon (RS) codes, Turbo codes, Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes, Hamming codes, and Permutation codes, are proposed to improve the message transmission reliability of communication links. Turbo and LDPC codes have been used extensively to combat the varying nature of communication channels, most especially in joint iterative channel estimation and decoding receiver structures. In this thesis, attention is focused on using RS codes to improve the message reliability of a communication link because RS codes have good capability of correcting random and burst errors, and are useful in di erent wireless applications. This study concentrates on symbol level soft decision decoding of RS codes. In this regards, a novel symbol level iterative soft decision decoder for RS codes based on parity-check equations is developed. This Parity-check matrix Transformation Algorithm (PTA) is based on the soft reliability information derived from the channel output in order to perform syndrome checks in an iterative process. Performance analysis verify that this developed PTA outperforms the conventional RS hard decision decoding algorithms and the symbol level Koetter and Vardy (KV ) RS soft decision decoding algorithm. In addition, this thesis develops an improved Distance Metric (DM) method of deriving reliability information over Rayleigh fading channels for combined demodulation with symbol level RS soft decision decoding algorithms. The newly proposed DM method incorporates the channel state information in deriving the soft reliability information over Rayleigh fading channels. Analysis verify that this developed metric enhances the performance of symbol level RS soft decision decoders in comparison with the conventional method. Although, in this thesis, the performance of the developed DM method of deriving soft reliability information over Rayleigh fading channels is only veri ed for symbol level RS soft decision decoders, it is applicable to any symbol level soft decision decoding FEC scheme. Besides, the performance of the all FEC decoding schemes plummet as a result of the Rayleigh fading channels. This engender the development of joint iterative channel estimation and decoding receiver structures in order to improve the message reliability, most especially with Turbo and LDPC codes as the FEC schemes. As such, this thesis develops the rst joint iterative channel estimation and Reed- Solomon decoding receiver structure. Essentially, the joint iterative channel estimation and RS decoding receiver is developed based on the existing symbol level soft decision KV algorithm. Consequently, the joint iterative channel estimation and RS decoding receiver is extended to the developed RS parity-check matrix transformation algorithm. The PTA provides design ease and exibility, and lesser computational time complexity in an iterative receiver structure in comparison with the KV algorithm. Generally, the ndings of this thesis are relevant in improving the message transmission reliability of a communication link with RS codes. For instance, it is pertinent to numerous data transmission technologies such as Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), WiMAX, and long distance satellite communications. Equally, the developed, less computationally intensive, and performance e cient symbol level decoding algorithm for RS codes can be use in consumer technologies like compact disc and digital versatile disc.GS201

Proceedings of the Second International Mobile Satellite Conference (IMSC 1990)

Presented here are the proceedings of the Second International Mobile Satellite Conference (IMSC), held June 17-20, 1990 in Ottawa, Canada. Topics covered include future mobile satellite communications concepts, aeronautical applications, modulation and coding, propagation and experimental systems, mobile terminal equipment, network architecture and control, regulatory and policy considerations, vehicle antennas, and speech compression

Engineering evaluations and studies. Volume 3: Exhibit C

High rate multiplexes asymmetry and jitter, data-dependent amplitude variations, and transition density are discussed

High speed energy efficient incoherent optical wireless communications

The growing demand for wireless communication capacity and the overutilisation of the conventional radio frequency (RF) spectrum have inspired research into using alternative spectrum regions for communication. Using optical wireless communications (OWC), for example, offers significant advantages over RF communication in terms of higher bandwidth, lower implementation costs and energy savings. In OWC systems, the information signal has to be real and non-negative. Therefore, modifications to the conventional communication algorithms are required. Multicarrier modulation schemes like orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) promise to deliver a more efficient use of the communication capacity through adaptive bit and energy loading techniques. Three OFDM-based schemes – direct-current-biased OFDM (DCO-OFDM), asymmetrically clipped optical OFDM(ACO-OFDM), and pulse-amplitude modulated discrete multitone (PAM-DMT) – have been introduced in the literature. The current work investigates the recently introduced scheme subcarrier-index modulation OFDM as a potential energy-efficient modulation technique with reduced peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) suitable for applications in OWC. A theoretical model for the analysis of SIM-OFDMin a linear additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel is provided. A closed-form solution for the PAPR in SIM-OFDM is also proposed. Following the work on SIM-OFDM, a novel inherently unipolar modulation scheme, unipolar orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (U-OFDM), is proposed as an alternative to the existing similar schemes: ACO-OFDMand PAM-DMT. Furthermore, an enhanced U-OFDMsignal generation algorithm is introduced which allows the spectral efficiency gap between the inherently unipolar modulation schemes – U-OFDM, ACO-OFDM, PAM-DMT – and the conventionally used DCO-OFDM to be closed. This results in an OFDM-based modulation approach which is electrically and optically more efficient than any other OFDM-based technique proposed so far for intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) communication systems. Non-linear distortion in the optical front-end elements is one of the major limitations for high-speed communication in OWC. This work presents a generalised approach for analysing nonlinear distortion in OFDM-based modulation schemes. The presented technique leads to a closed-form analytical solution for an arbitrary memoryless distortion of the information signal and has been proven to work for the majority of the known unipolar OFDM-based modulation techniques - DCO-OFDM, ACO-OFDM, PAM-DMT and U-OFDM. The high-speed communication capabilities of novel Gallium Nitride based μm-sized light emitting diodes (μLEDs) are investigated, and a record-setting result of 3.5Gb/s using a single 50-μm device is demonstrated. The capabilities of using such devices at practical transmission distances are also investigated, and a 1 Gb/s link using a single device is demonstrated at a distance of up to 10m. Furthermore, a proof-of-concept experiment is realised where a 50-μm LED is successfully modulated using U-OFDM and enhanced U-OFDM to achieve notable energy savings in comparison to DCO-OFDM

A computing structure for data acquisition in high energy physics

A review of the development of parallel computing ispresented, followed by a summary of currently recognised typesof parallel computer and a brief summary of some applicationsof parallel computing in the field of high energy physics.The computing requirement at the data acquisition stageof a particular set of high energy physics experiments isdetailed, with reference to the computing system currently inuse. The requirement for a parallel processor to process thedata from these experiments is established and a possiblecomputing structure put forward.The topology proposed consists of a set of rings ofprocessors stacked to give a cylindrical arrangement, ananalytical approach is used to verify the suitability andextensibility of the suggested scheme. Using simulationresults the behaviour of rings and cylinders of processorsusing different algorithms for the movement of data within thesystem and different patterns of data input is presented anddiscussed.Practical hardware and software details for processingequipment capable of supporting such a structure as presentedhere is given, various algorithms for use with this equipment,e. g. program distribution, are developed and the software forthe implementation of the cylindrical structure is presented.Appendices of constructional information and all programlistings are included

Bibliography of Lewis Research Center technical publications announced in 1992

This compilation of abstracts describes and indexes the technical reporting that resulted from the scientific and engineering work performed and managed by the Lewis Research Center in 1992. All the publications were announced in the 1992 issues of STAR (Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports) and/or IAA (International Aerospace Abstracts). Included are research reports, journal articles, conference presentations, patents and patent applications, and theses

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Research and Technology Objectives and Plans Summary (RTOPS)

This publication represents the NASA research and technology program for FY88. It is a compilation of the Summary portions of each of the RTOPs (Research and Technology Objectives and Plans) used for management review and control of research currently in progress throughout NASA. The RTOP Summary is designed to facilitate communication and coordination among concerned technical personnel in government, in industry, and in universities. The first section containing citations and abstracts of the RTOPs is followed by four indexes: Subject, Technical Monitor, Responsible NASA Organization, and RTOP Number

Bibliography of Lewis Research Center technical publications announced in 1985

This compilation of abstracts describes and indexes the technical reporting that resulted from the scientific and engineering work performed and managed by the Lewis Research Center in 1985. All the publications were announced in the 1985 issues of STAR (Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports) and/or IAA (International Aerospace Abstracts). Included are research reports, journal articles, conference presentations, patents and patent applications, and theses