An OFDM Signal Identification Method for Wireless Communications Systems

Distinction of OFDM signals from single carrier signals is highly important for adaptive receiver algorithms and signal identification applications. OFDM signals exhibit Gaussian characteristics in time domain and fourth order cumulants of Gaussian distributed signals vanish in contrary to the cumulants of other signals. Thus fourth order cumulants can be utilized for OFDM signal identification. In this paper, first, formulations of the estimates of the fourth order cumulants for OFDM signals are provided. Then it is shown these estimates are affected significantly from the wireless channel impairments, frequency offset, phase offset and sampling mismatch. To overcome these problems, a general chi-square constant false alarm rate Gaussianity test which employs estimates of cumulants and their covariances is adapted to the specific case of wireless OFDM signals. Estimation of the covariance matrix of the fourth order cumulants are greatly simplified peculiar to the OFDM signals. A measurement setup is developed to analyze the performance of the identification method and for comparison purposes. A parametric measurement analysis is provided depending on modulation order, signal to noise ratio, number of symbols, and degree of freedom of the underlying test. The proposed method outperforms statistical tests which are based on fixed thresholds or empirical values, while a priori information requirement and complexity of the proposed method are lower than the coherent identification techniques

Wideband Spectrum Sensing for Dynamic Spectrum Sharing

The proliferation of wireless devices grows exponentially, demanding more and more data communication capacity over wireless links. Radio spectrum is a scarce resource, and traditional wireless networks deployed by Mobile Network Operators (MNO) are based on an exclusive spectrum band allocation. However, underutilization of some licensed bands in time and geographic domains has been reported, especially in rural areas or areas away from high population density zones. This coexistence of increasingly high data communication needs and spectrum underutilization is an incomprehensible scenario. A more rational and efficient use of the spectrum is the possibility of Licensed Users (known as Primary Users – PU) to lease the spectrum, when not in use, to Unlicensed Users (known as Secondary Users – SU), or allowing the SU to opportunistically use the spectrum after sensing and verifying that the PU is idle. In this latter case, the SU must stop transmitting when the PU becomes active. This thesis addresses the spectrum sensing task, which is essential to provide dynamic spectrum sharing between PUs and SUs. We show that the Spectral Correlation Function (SCF) and the Spectral Coherence Function (SCoF) can provide a robust signal detection algorithm by exploiting the cyclostationary characteristics of the data communication signal. We enhance the most used algorithm to compute de SCF - the FAM (FFT Accumulation Method) algorithm – to efficiently compute the SCF in a local/zoomed region of the support ( ; ) plane (frequency/cycle frequency plane). This will provide the quick identification of spectral bands in use by PUs or free, in a wideband sampling scenario. Further, the characterization of the probability density of the estimates of the SCF and SCoF when only noise is present, using the FAM algorithm, will allow the definition of an adaptive threshold to develop a blind (with respect to the noise statistics) Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) detector (using the SCoF) and also a CFAR and a Constant Detection Rate (CDR) detector when that characterization is used to obtain an estimate of the background noise variance (using the SCF).A proliferação de dispositivos sem fios cresce de forma exponencial, exigindo cada vez mais capacidade de comunicação de dados através de ligações sem fios. O espectro radioelétrico é um recurso escasso, e as redes sem fios tradicionais implantadas pelos Operadores de Redes Móveis baseiam-se numa atribuição exclusiva de bandas do espectro. No entanto, tem sido relatada a subutilização de algumas bandas licenciadas quer ao longo do tempo, quer na sua localização geográfica, especialmente em áreas rurais, e em áreas longe de zonas de elevada densidade populacional. A coexistência da necessidade cada vez maior de comunicação de dados, e a subutilização do espectro é um cenário incompreensível. Uma utilização mais racional e eficiente do espectro pressupõe a possibilidade dos Utilizadores Licenciados (conhecidos como Utilizadores Primários – Primary Users - PU) alugarem o espectro, quando este não está a ser utilizado, a Utilizadores Não Licenciados (conhecidos como Utilizadores Secundários – Secondary Users - SU), ou permitir ao SU utilizar oportunisticamente o espectro após a deteção e verificação de que o PU está inativo. Neste último caso, o SU deverá parar de transmitir quando o PU ficar ativo. Nesta tese é abordada a tarefa de deteção espectral, que é essencial para proporcionar a partilha dinâmica do espectro entre PUs e SUs. Mostra-se que a Função de Correlação Espectral (Spectral Correlation Function - SCF) e a Função de Coerência Espectral (Spectral Coherence Function - SCoF) permitem o desenvolvimento de um algoritmo robusto de deteção de sinal, explorando as características ciclo-estacionárias dos sinais de comunicação de dados. Propõe-se uma melhoria ao algoritmo mais utilizado para cálculo da SCF – o método FAM (FFT Accumulation Method) - para permitir o cálculo mais eficiente da SCF numa região local/ampliada do plano de suporte / (plano de frequência/frequência de ciclo). Esta melhoria permite a identificação rápida de bandas espectrais em uso por PUs ou livres, num cenário de amostragem de banda larga. Adicionalmente, é feita a caracterização da densidade de probabilidade das estimativas da SCF e SCoF quando apenas o ruído está presente, o que permite a definição de um limiar adaptativo, para desenvolver um detetor de Taxa de Falso Alarme Constante (Constant False Alarm Rate – CFAR) sem conhecimento do ruído de fundo (usando a SCoF) e também um detetor CFAR e Taxa de Deteção Constante (Constant Detection Rate – CDR), quando se utiliza aquela caracterização para obter uma estimativa da variância do ruído de fundo (usando a SCF)

Selección óptima del factor de ajuste CA-CFAR para clutter marino de potencia K estadísticamente variable

The presence of the sea clutter interfering signal sets limitations on the quality of radar detection in coastal and ocean environments. The CA-CFAR processor is the classic solution for detecting radar targets. It usually operates keeping constant its adjustment factor during the entire operation period. As a consequence, the scheme does not take into account the slow statistical variations of the background signal when performing the clutter discrimination. To solve this problem, the authors conducted an intensive processing of 40 million computer generated clutter power samples in MATLAB. As a result, they found the optimal adjustment factor values to be applied in 40 possible clutter statistical states, suggesting thus the use of the CA-CFAR architecture with a variable adjustment factor. In addition, a curve fitting procedure was performed, obtaining mathematical expressions that generalize the results for the whole addressed range of clutter statistical states. The experiments were executed with a 64 cells CA-CFAR and found the adjustment factor values for three common false alarms probabilities. The K distribution was used as clutter model, thanks to its wide popularity. This paper facilitates the handling of the K power distribution avoiding the use of Gamma and Bessel functions, commonly found in developments related to the K model. Moreover, requirements for building an adaptive clutter detector in K power clutter with a priori knowledge of the shape parameter were fulfill. Also, several recommendations are given to continue the development of a more overall solution which will also include the estimation of the shape parameter.La presencia de la señal interferente de clutter marino establece limitaciones en la calidad de la detección de radar en ambientes costeros y de alta mar. El procesador CA-CFAR es la solución clásica para detectar blancos de radar. Usualmente mantiene su factor de ajuste constante todo el período de operación. Como consecuencia, el esquema no toma en consideración las variaciones estadísticas de la señal de fondo cuando realiza la discriminación del clutter. Para resolver este problema, los autores realizaron un procesamiento intensivo de 40 millones de muestras de clutter de intensidad, generadas en computadora a través de MATLAB. Como resultado, encontraron los valores óptimos del factor de ajuste a ser aplicados para 40 posibles estados estadísticos del clutter, sugiriendo el uso de la arquitectura CA-CFAR con un factor de ajuste variable. Adicionalmente, fue llevado a cabo un ajuste de curvas, obteniéndose expresiones matemáticas que generalizan los resultados en todo el intervalo de considerado de estados estadísticos del clutter. Los experimentos se ejecutaron con un CA-CFAR de 64 celdas y apuntaron a encontrar los valores del factor de ajuste para tres probabilidades de falsa alarma comunes. La distribución K fue elegida como el modelo usado para el clutter, gracias a su amplia popularidad. Este artículo facilita el manejo de la distribución K de intensidad, evitando el uso de funciones Gamma y Bessel, comúnmente encontradas en desarrollos relacionados con el modelo K. Además, fueron cumplidos los requerimientos necesarios para construir un detector adaptativo en clutter de potencia K con conocimiento previo del parámetro de forma. Al mismo tiempo, fueron dadas varias recomendaciones para continuar el desarrollo de una solución más general que también incluirá la estimación del parámetro de forma

Deteção espetral de banda larga para rádio cógnitivo

Doutoramento em TelecomunicaçõesEsta tese tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de uma unidade autónoma de deteção espetral em tempo real. Para tal são analisadas várias implementações para a estimação do nível de ruído de fundo de forma a se poder criar um limiar adaptativo para um detetor com uma taxa constante de falso alarme. Além da identificação binária da utilização do espetro, pretende-se também obter a classificação individual de cada transmissor e a sua ocupação ao longo do tempo. Para tal são exploradas duas soluções baseadas no algoritmo, de agrupamento de dados, conhecido como maximização de expectativas que permite identificar os sinais analisados pela potência recebida e relação de fase entre dois recetores. Um algoritmo de deteção de sinal baseado também na relação de fase de dois recetores e sem necessidade de estimação do ruído de fundo é também demonstrado. Este algoritmo foi otimizado para permitir uma implementação eficiente num arranjo de portas programáveis em campo a funcionar em tempo real para uma elevada largura de banda, permitindo também estimar a direção da transmissão detetada.The purpose of this thesis is to develop an autonomous unit for real time spectrum sensing. For this purpose, several implementations for the estimation of the background noise level are analysed to create an adaptive threshold and ensure a constant false alarm rate detector. In addition to the binary identification of the spectrum usage, it is also intended to obtain an individual classification of each transmitter occupation and its spectrum usage over time. To do so, two solutions based on the expectation maximization data clustering, that allow to identify the analyzed signals by the received power and phase relation between two receivers, were explored. A signal detection algorithm, also based on the phase relationship between two receivers and with no need for noise estimation is also demonstrated. This algorithm has been optimized to allow an efficient implementation in a FPGA operating in real time for a high bandwidth and it also allows the estimation of the direction of arrival of the detected transmission

Compressive cyclostationary spectrum sensing with a constant false alarm rate

Spectrum sensing is a crucial component of opportunistic spectrum access schemes, which aim at improving spectrum utilization by allowing for the reuse of idle licensed spectrum. Sensing a spectral band before using it makes sure the legitimate users are not disturbed. To that end, a number of different spectrum sensing method have been developed in the literature. Cyclostationary detection is a particular sensing approach that takes use of the built-in periodicities characteristic to most man-made signals. It offers a compromise between achievable performance and the amount of prior information needed. However, it often requires a significant amount of data in order to provide a reliable estimate of the cyclic autocorrelation (CA) function. In this work, we take advantage of the inherent sparsity of the cyclic spectrum in order to estimate CA from a low number of linear measurements and enable blind cyclostationary spectrum sensing. Particularly, we propose two compressive spectrum sensing algorithms that exploit further prior information on the CA structure. In the first one, we make use of the joint sparsity of the CA vectors with regard to the time delay, while in the second one, we introduce structure dictionary to enhance the reconstruction performance. Furthermore, we extend a statistical test for cyclostationarity to accommodate sparse cyclic spectra. Our numerical results demonstrate that the new methods achieve a near constant false alarm rate behavior in contrast to earlier approaches from the literature

Shuttle orbiter Ku-band radar/communications system design evaluation

Tasks performed in an examination and critique of a Ku-band radar communications system for the shuttle orbiter are reported. Topics cover: (1) Ku-band high gain antenna/widebeam horn design evaluation; (2) evaluation of the Ku-band SPA and EA-1 LRU software; (3) system test evaluation; (4) critical design review and development test evaluation; (5) Ku-band bent pipe channel performance evaluation; (6) Ku-band LRU interchangeability analysis; and (7) deliverable test equipment evaluation. Where discrepancies were found, modifications and improvements to the Ku-band system and the associated test procedures are suggested

Passive Radar Clutter Modeling and Emitter Selection for Ground Moving Target Indication

Moving target detection with a passive radar system relies on many competing and coupled variables. When simulating a passive bistatic radar (PBR) system for ground moving target indication (GMTI) a three-dimensional model is critical. The signal path geometry induced from separating the radar receiver and transmitter causes several performance effects that change with location. Since a performance prediction is only as good as the model, the choice of how to model clutter becomes important. Measured data of bistatic clutter shows that the received clutter power depends on scattering angles. Therefore, a new in-plane out-of-plane (IPOP) interpolation model was developed. The IPOP model causes high clutter returns to reside in regions near an in-plane orientation (forward or backward scattering). The model produces a more localized clutter spectrum in angle-Doppler space when compared to monostatic radar. Generally, the stationary transmitter is modeled as a communication emitter due to the availability. These continuous waveforms must be partitioned as pulses spaced at constant intervals over the coherent processing interval (CPI). This diverse pulse train is non-ideal for pulse-Doppler radars. The waveform produces high range sidelobes and causes colored noise to spread in Doppler. It is shown for the first time that these waveform effects can be modeled through a covariance matrix taper (CMT). Choosing an optimal emitter becomes an interesting problem when multiple emitters are present. A common metric for GMTI when using space-time adaptive processing (STAP) is signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). However, SINR changes based off relative geometries, and GMTI depends on where a target's location and two-dimensional velocity maps into angle-Doppler space. Therefore, average SINR, weighted average SINR, minimum SINR, and usable velocity space fraction (UVSF) are the newly developed metrics proposed for down-selecting to an optimal emitter. The choice of metric is extremely dependent on the scenario. Finally, in STAP large clutter discretes (LCDs) can cause either false alarms or missed detections. Ultimately, they contaminate the data, and it is very desirable, yet very hard, to remove LCDs. However, the clutter structure in angle-Doppler space for PBR can offer a benefit for removing an LCD. Due to the fact that bistatic clutter can be more localized in angle-Doppler, the detection and estimation of an LCD can be accomplished for an out-of-plane geometry. Then the LCD can be successfully removed from the data, and new application of spectral estimation techniques have been developed for this purpose

Physical Layer Challenges and Solutions in Seamless Positioning via GNSS, Cellular and WLAN Systems

As different positioning applications have started to be a common part of our lives, positioning methods have to cope with increasing demands. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can offer accurate location estimate outdoors, but achieving seamless large-scale indoor localization remains still a challenging topic. The requirements for simple and cost-effective indoor positioning system have led to the utilization of wireless systems already available, such as cellular networks and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). One common approach with the advantage of a large-scale standard-independent implementation is based on the Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements.This thesis addresses both GNSS and non-GNSS positioning algorithms and aims to offer a compact overview of the wireless localization issues, concentrating on some of the major challenges and solutions in GNSS and RSS-based positioning. The GNSS-related challenges addressed here refer to the channel modelling part for indoor GNSS and to the acquisition part in High Sensitivity (HS)-GNSS. The RSSrelated challenges addressed here refer to the data collection and calibration, channel effects such as path loss and shadowing, and three-dimensional indoor positioning estimation.This thesis presents a measurement-based analysis of indoor channel models for GNSS signals and of path loss and shadowing models for WLAN and cellular signals. Novel low-complexity acquisition algorithms are developed for HS-GNSS. In addition, a solution to transmitter topology evaluation and database reduction solutions for large-scale mobile-centric RSS-based positioning are proposed. This thesis also studies the effect of RSS offsets in the calibration phase and various floor estimators, and offers an extensive comparison of different RSS-based positioning algorithms

Implementation and Analysis of Adaptive Spectrum Sensing

The electromagnetic spectrum is a finite resource that has become increasingly crowded as the day-to-day operation of the world has become increasingly reliant on wireless devices. With the growing deployment of the Internet-of-Things (IoT), 5G Networks, and broadband internet systems, the available spectrum for radar applications has been reduced and instances of interference across all device types have increased. To mitigate this problem going forward, devices need to be better able to intelligently access the spectrum based on the presence of other users. A cognitive radio or radar system functions by using adaptive spectrum sensing to detect existing users in the frequency band and adapt to use ’open’ spectrum bands. To ensure the predictable performance of the system and systems that it shares spectrum with, it must detect new users and adapt without interrupting its operation or interfering with the other users. Because modern communications networks can update their spectrum utilization on a sub-millisecond timescale, the critical detection and adaption phase must operate in real-time. This work presents an implementation of a fast spectrum sensing (FSS) algo- rithm deployed on the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) of an Ettus USRP software-defined radio. This implementation allows for microsecond scale updates of the environment’s spectrum availability. Unfortunately, this FSS algorithm is limited by its knowledge of the spectrum, which is ever-changing. To help improve the system’s dynamic performance a new adaptive detection algorithm is proposed to replace the static threshold of the first implementation. The new detection algo- rithm is a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) inspired detector which allows a cogni- tive sensor to work in a dynamic environment without a-priori information about the spectrum. Combining the FSS algorithm with dynamic signal detection allows the cognitive radio system to adapt to the ever-changing environment without requiring extensive ’listen before talk’ periods before operation