Towards improved satellite telecommand link availability

Compliant with the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) set of protocols, we explore enhancing the availability service for space links. In particular, we consider specific improved defences against jamming attacks affecting symbol synchronization. More robust adaptive closed-loop symbol synchronizers are designated with a view to the planned update of the CCSDS standard for the telecommand synchronization and channel coding sublayer of the data link layer. It is shown that adaptive schemes exploiting instantaneous jammer state information are recommended to counter destructive attacks that may harm the availability

Joint Channel and Carrier Estimation Using Extended Kalman Filter

In this paper a proposal of joint channel and carrier estimation using extended Kalman filter (EKF) is presented. For the proposed algorithm simulations are performed and the results are compared with the separate channel estimation based on the Kalman filter (KF) and carrier estimation based on the extended extended Kalman filter, EKF, joint channel and carrier estimation, synchronization, digital receiver. 

Low-Complexity Adaptive Direct-State Kalman Filter for Robust GNSS Carrier Tracking

This paper evaluates the implementation of a low-complexity adaptive direct-state Kalman filter (DSKF) for robust carrier phase tracking of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. This architecture consists of a loop-bandwidth control algorithm (LBCA)-based lookup table (LUT)-DSKF in an FLL-assisted-PLL (FAP) tracking scheme. The FAP considers the carrier phase and frequency Doppler measurements to achieve a robust tracking. The use of the DSKF in the FAP achieves optimal performance, assuming a known Gaussian distributed model of the states and the measurements. However, the performance decays in time-varying scenarios where the measurements' distribution changes due to noise, signal dynamics, multi-path, and non-line-of-sight effects. In addition, the DSKF's implementation in real-time applications requires a high computational cost. This study derives the so-called LUT-DSKF for the FAP, a simplified DSKF that considers the convergence of the Kalman gains. In addition, the LBCA is used to adapt the time of response of this architecture and improve the tracking performance in time-varying scenarios. The presented technique is compared with the adaptive LUT-DSKF in a phase-locked loop (PLL) tracking scheme. These two tracking architectures are implemented in an open software interface GNSS hardware receiver. The receiver is evaluated in simulated scenarios with different dynamics and noise cases for each implementation. The results confirm that the LBCA-based LUT-DSKF in the FAP exhibits superior dynamic tracking performance than the adaptive PLL while maintaining similar static tracking performance and low complexity.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Third-order Complex Amplitudes Tracking Loop for Slow Flat Fading Channel On-Line Estimation

12 pagesInternational audienceThis paper deals with channel estimation in tracking mode over a flat Rayleigh fading channel with Jakes' Doppler Spectrum. Many estimation algorithms exploit the time-domain correlation of the channel by employing a Kalman filter based on a first-order (or sometimes second-order) approximation model of the time-varying channel. However, the nature of the approximation model itself degrades the estimation performance for slow to moderate varying channel scenarios. Furthermore, the Kalman-based algorithms exhibit a certain complexity. Hence, a different model and approach has been investigated in this work to tackle all of these issues. A novel PLL-structured third-order tracking loop estimator with a low complexity is proposed. The connection between a steady-state Kalman filter based on a random walk approximation model and the proposed estimator is first established. Then, a sub-optimal mean-squared-error (MSE) is given in a closed-form expression as a function of the tracking loop parameters. The parameters that minimize this sub-optimal MSE are also given in a closed-form expression. The asymptotic MSE and Bit-Error-Ratio (BER) simulation results demonstrate that the proposed estimator outperforms the first and second order Kalman-based filters reported in literature. The robustness of the proposed estimator is also verified by a mismatch simulation

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

This publication, one of a series formerly titled The Deep Space Network Progress Report, documents DSN progress in flight project support, tracking and data acquisition research and technology, network engineering, hardware and software implementation, and operations. In addition, developments in Earth-based radio technology as applied to geodynamics, astrophysics and the radio search for extraterrestrial intelligence are reported

Tanlock based loop with improved performance

This thesis is focused on the design, analysis, simulation and implementation of new improved architectures of the Time Delay Digital Tanlock Loop (TDTL) based digital phase-locked loop (DPLL). The proposed architectures overcome some fundamental limitations exhibited by the original TDTL. These limitations include the presence of nonlinearity in the phase detector (PD), the non-zero phase error of the first-order loop, the restricted locking range, particularly of the second-order loop, the limited acquisition speed and the noise performance. Two approaches were adopted in this work to alleviate these limitations: the first involved modifying the original TDTL through the incorporation of auxiliary circuit blocks that enhance its performance, whilst the second involved designing new tanlock-based architectures. The proposed architectures, which resulted from the above approaches, were tested under various input signal conditions and their performance was compared with the original TDTL. The proposed architectures demonstrated an improvement of up to fourfold in terms of the acquisition times, twofold in noise performance and a marked enhancement in the linearity and in the locking range. The effectiveness of the proposed tanlock-based architectures was also assessed and demonstrated by using them in various applications, which included FM demodulation, FM threshold extension, FM demodulation with improved THD (total harmonic distortion), and Doppler effect improvement. The results from these applications showed that the performance of the new architectures outperformed the original TDTL. Real-time performance of these architectures was evaluated through implementation of some of them on an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) based system. Practical results from the prototype FPGA based implementations confirmed the simulation results obtained from MATLAB/Simulink

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition

This quarterly publication provides archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's Office of Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA). In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio and radar astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) in planning, supporting research and technology, implementation, and operations. Also included are standards activity at JPL for space data and information systems and reimbursable DSN work performed for other space agencies through NASA. The preceding work is all performed for NASA's Office of Space Communications (OSC)

Traitement du signal pour les communications numériques au travers de canaux radio-mobiles

This manuscript of ''Habilitation à diriger les Recherches'' (Habilitation to conduct researches) gives me the opportunity to take stock of the last 14 years on my associate professor activities and on my research works in the field of signal processing for digital communications, particularly for radio-mobile communications. The purpose of this signal processing is generally to obtain a robust transmission, despite the passage of digital information through a communication channel disrupted by the mobility between the transmitter and the receiver (Doppler effect), the phenomenon of echoes (multi-path propagation), the addition of noise or interference, or by limitations in bandwidth, in transmitted power or in signal-to-noise ratio. In order to recover properly the digital information, the receiver needs in general to have an accurate knowledge of the channel state. Much of my work has focused on receiver synchronization or more generally on the dynamic estimation of the channel parameters (delays, phases, amplitudes, Doppler shifts, ...). We have developed estimators and studied their performance in asymptotic variance, and have compared them to minimum lower bound (Cramer-rao or Bayesian Cramer Rao bounds). Some other studies have focused only on the recovering of information (''detection'' or ''equalization'' task) by the receiver after channel estimation, or proposed and analyzed emission / reception schemes, reliable for certain scenarios (transmit diversity scheme for flat fading channel, scheme with high energy efficiency, ...).Ce mémoire de HDR est l'occasion de dresser un bilan des 14 dernières années concernant mes activités d'enseignant-chercheur et mes travaux de recherche dans le domaine du traitement du signal pour les communications numériques, et plus particulièrement les communications radio-mobiles. L'objet de ce traitement du signal est globalement l'obtention d'une transmission robuste, malgré le passage de l'information numérique au travers d'un canal de communication perturbé par la mobilité entre l'émetteur et le récepteur (effet Doppler), le phénomène d'échos, l'addition de bruit ou d'interférence, ou encore par des limitations en bande-passante, en puissance transmise ou en rapport-signal à bruit. Afin de restituer au mieux l'information numérique, le récepteur a en général besoin de disposer d'une connaissance précise du canal. Une grande partie de mes travaux s'est intéressé à l'estimation dynamique des paramètres de ce canal (retards, phases, amplitudes, décalages Doppler, ...), et en particulier à la synchronisation du récepteur. Quelques autres travaux se sont intéressés seulement à la restitution de l'information (tâches de ''détection'' ou d' ''égalisation'') par le récepteur une fois le canal estimé, ou à des schémas d'émission / réception spécifiques. La synthèse des travaux commence par une introduction générale décrivant les ''canaux de communications'' et leurs problèmes potentiels, et positionne chacun de mes travaux en ces termes. Une première partie s'intéresse aux techniques de réception pour les signaux à spectre étalé des systèmes d'accès multiple à répartition par codes (CDMA). Ces systèmes large-bande offrent un fort pouvoir de résolution temporelle et des degrés de liberté, que nous avons exploités pour étudier l'égalisation et la synchronisation (de retard et de phase) en présence de trajets multiples et d'utilisateurs multiples. La première partie regroupe aussi d'autres schémas d'émission/réception, proposés pour leur robustesse dans différents scénarios (schéma à diversité pour canaux à évanouissement plats, schéma à forte efficacité énergétique, ...). La seconde partie est consacrée à l'estimation dynamique Bayésienne des paramètres du canal. On suppose ici qu'une partie des paramètres à estimer exhibe des variations temporelles aléatoires selon une certaine loi à priori. Nous proposons d'abord des estimateurs et des bornes minimales d'estimation pour des modèles de transmission relativement complexes, en raison de la distorsion temporelle due à la forte mobilité en modulation multi-porteuse (OFDM), ou de la présence de plusieurs paramètres à estimer conjointement, ou encore de non linéarités dans les modèles. Nous nous focalisons ensuite sur le problème d'estimation des amplitudes complexes des trajets d'un canal à évolution lente (à 1 ou plusieurs bonds). Nous proposons des estimateurs récursifs (dénommés CATL, pour ''Complex Amplitude Tracking Loop'') à structure imposée inspirée par les boucles à verrouillage de phase numériques, de performance asymptotiques proches des bornes minimales. Les formules analytiques approchées de performances asymptotiques et de réglages de ces estimateurs sont établies sous forme de simples fonctions des paramètres physiques (spectre Doppler, retards, niveau de bruit). Puis étant donné les liens établis entre ces estimateurs CATL et certains filtres de Kalman (construits pour des modèles d'état de type marche aléatoire intégrée), les formules approchées de performances asymptotiques et de réglage de ces filtres de Kalman sont aussi dérivées

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

This quarterly publication (July-Sept. 1986) provides archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's Office of Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA). In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) and its associated Ground Communications Facility (GCF) in planning, in supporting research and technology, in implementation, and in operations. This work is performed for NASA's Office of Space Tracking and Data Systems (OSTDS). In geodynamics, the publication reports on the application of radio interferometry at microwave frequencies for geodynamic measurements. In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), it reports on implementation and operations for searching the microwave spectrum. The latter two programs are performed for NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA)