Raptor Codes in the Low SNR Regime

In this paper, we revisit the design of Raptor codes for binary input additive white Gaussian noise (BIAWGN) channels, where we are interested in very low signal to noise ratios (SNRs). A linear programming degree distribution optimization problem is defined for Raptor codes in the low SNR regime through several approximations. We also provide an exact expression for the polynomial representation of the degree distribution with infinite maximum degree in the low SNR regime, which enables us to calculate the exact value of the fractions of output nodes of small degrees. A more practical degree distribution design is also proposed for Raptor codes in the low SNR regime, where we include the rate efficiency and the decoding complexity in the optimization problem, and an upper bound on the maximum rate efficiency is derived for given design parameters. Simulation results show that the Raptor code with the designed degree distributions can approach rate efficiencies larger than 0.95 in the low SNR regime.Comment: Submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Communications. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1510.0772

Near-capacity fixed-rate and rateless channel code constructions

Fixed-rate and rateless channel code constructions are designed for satisfying conflicting design tradeoffs, leading to codes that benefit from practical implementations, whilst offering a good bit error ratio (BER) and block error ratio (BLER) performance. More explicitly, two novel low-density parity-check code (LDPC) constructions are proposed; the first construction constitutes a family of quasi-cyclic protograph LDPC codes, which has a Vandermonde-like parity-check matrix (PCM). The second construction constitutes a specific class of protograph LDPC codes, which are termed as multilevel structured (MLS) LDPC codes. These codes possess a PCM construction that allows the coexistence of both pseudo-randomness as well as a structure requiring a reduced memory. More importantly, it is also demonstrated that these benefits accrue without any compromise in the attainable BER/BLER performance. We also present the novel concept of separating multiple users by means of user-specific channel codes, which is referred to as channel code division multiple access (CCDMA), and provide an example based on MLS LDPC codes. In particular, we circumvent the difficulty of having potentially high memory requirements, while ensuring that each user’s bits in the CCDMA system are equally protected. With regards to rateless channel coding, we propose a novel family of codes, which we refer to as reconfigurable rateless codes, that are capable of not only varying their code-rate but also to adaptively modify their encoding/decoding strategy according to the near-instantaneous channel conditions. We demonstrate that the proposed reconfigurable rateless codes are capable of shaping their own degree distribution according to the nearinstantaneous requirements imposed by the channel, but without any explicit channel knowledge at the transmitter. Additionally, a generalised transmit preprocessing aided closed-loop downlink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is presented, in which both the channel coding components as well as the linear transmit precoder exploit the knowledge of the channel state information (CSI). More explicitly, we embed a rateless code in a MIMO transmit preprocessing scheme, in order to attain near-capacity performance across a wide range of channel signal-to-ratios (SNRs), rather than only at a specific SNR. The performance of our scheme is further enhanced with the aid of a technique, referred to as pilot symbol assisted rateless (PSAR) coding, whereby a predetermined fraction of pilot bits is appropriately interspersed with the original information bits at the channel coding stage, instead of multiplexing pilots at the modulation stage, as in classic pilot symbol assisted modulation (PSAM). We subsequently demonstrate that the PSAR code-aided transmit preprocessing scheme succeeds in gleaning more information from the inserted pilots than the classic PSAM technique, because the pilot bits are not only useful for sounding the channel at the receiver but also beneficial for significantly reducing the computational complexity of the rateless channel decoder

CV-QKD with Gaussian and non-Gaussian Entangled States over Satellite-based Channels

In this work we investigate the effectiveness of continuous-variable (CV) entangled states, transferred through high-loss atmospheric channels, as a means of viable quantum key distribution (QKD) between terrestrial stations and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. In particular, we investigate the role played by the Gaussian CV states as compared to non-Gaussian states. We find that beam-wandering induced atmospheric losses lead to QKD performance levels that are in general quite different from those found in fixed-attenuation channels. For example, circumstances can be found where no QKD is viable at some fixed loss in fiber but is viable at the same mean loss in fading channels. We also find that, in some circumstances, the QKD relative performance of Gaussian and non-Gaussian states can in atmospheric channels be the reverse of that found in fixed-attenuation channels. These findings show that the nature of the atmospheric channel can have a large impact on the QKD performance. Our results should prove useful for emerging global quantum communications that use LEO satellites as communication relays.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Indoor free space optics link under the weak turbulence regime: measurements and model validation

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in [journal] and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital LibraryIn this study, the authors present the measurements performed on a free space optics (FSO) communications link using an indoor atmospheric chamber. In particular, the authors have generated several different optical turbulence conditions, demonstrating how even the weak turbulence regime can strongly affect the FSO link performance. The authors have carried out an in-depth analysis of the data collected during the measurements, and calculated the turbulence strength (i.e. scintillation index and Rytov variance) and the important performance metrics (i.e. the Q-factor and bit error rate) to evaluate the FSO link quality. Moreover, the authors have tested, for the first time, an appositely developed temporally-correlated gamma-gamma channel model to generate the temporal irradiance fluctuations observed at the receiver. This has been accomplished by using a complete analysis tool that enables the authors to fully simulate the experimental FSO link. Finally, the authors compare the generated time-series with the collected experimental data, showing a good agreement and thus proving the effectiveness of the model.This work was supported by the European Space Agency under grant no. 5401001020. We are very grateful to Dr. E. Armandillo for enlightening discussions. J. Perez's work was support by Spanish MINECO Juan de la Cierva Fellowship JCI-2012-14805. This research project falls within the frame of COST ICT Action IC1101 - Optical Wireless Communications - An Emerging Technology (OPTICWISE).Pernice, R.; Ando, A.; Cardinale, M.; Curcio, L.; Stivala, S.; Parisi, A.; Busacca, AC.... (2015). Indoor free space optics link under the weak turbulence regime: measurements and model validation. IET Communications. 9(1):62-70. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-com.2014.0432S627091Tsukamoto, K., Hashimoto, A., Aburakawa, Y., & Matsumoto, M. (2009). The case for free space. IEEE Microwave Magazine, 10(5), 84-92. doi:10.1109/mmm.2009.933086Suriza, A. Z., Md Rafiqul, I., Wajdi, A. K., & Naji, A. W. (2013). Proposed parameters of specific rain attenuation prediction for Free Space Optics link operating in tropical region. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 94, 93-99. doi:10.1016/j.jastp.2012.11.008Nebuloni, R. (2005). Empirical relationships between extinction coefficient and visibility in fog. Applied Optics, 44(18), 3795. doi:10.1364/ao.44.003795García-Zambrana, A., Castillo-Vázquez, C., & Castillo-Vázquez, B. (2011). Outage performance of MIMO FSO links over strong turbulence and misalignment fading channels. Optics Express, 19(14), 13480. doi:10.1364/oe.19.013480Shokrollahi, A. (2006). Raptor codes. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 52(6), 2551-2567. doi:10.1109/tit.2006.874390MacKay, D. J. C. (2005). Fountain codes. IEE Proceedings - Communications, 152(6), 1062. doi:10.1049/ip-com:20050237Uysal, M., Jing Li, & Meng Yu. (2006). Error rate performance analysis of coded free-space optical links over gamma-gamma atmospheric turbulence channels. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 5(6), 1229-1233. doi:10.1109/twc.2006.1638639Tsiftsis, T. A. (2008). Performance of heterodyne wireless optical communication systems over gamma-gamma atmospheric turbulence channels. Electronics Letters, 44(5), 373. doi:10.1049/el:20083028Popoola, W. O., & Ghassemlooy, Z. (2009). BPSK Subcarrier Intensity Modulated Free-Space Optical Communications in Atmospheric Turbulence. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 27(8), 967-973. doi:10.1109/jlt.2008.2004950Nistazakis, H. E., Tsiftsis, T. A., & Tombras, G. S. (2009). Performance analysis of free-space optical communication systems over atmospheric turbulence channels. IET Communications, 3(8), 1402. doi:10.1049/iet-com.2008.0212Bayaki, E., Schober, R., & Mallik, R. (2009). Performance analysis of MIMO free-space optical systems in gamma-gamma fading. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 57(11), 3415-3424. doi:10.1109/tcomm.2009.11.080168Anguita, J. A., Neifeld, M. A., Hildner, B., & Vasic, B. (2010). Rateless Coding on Experimental Temporally Correlated FSO Channels. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 28(7), 990-1002. doi:10.1109/jlt.2010.2040136Andò, A., Mangione, S., Curcio, L., Stivala, S., Garbo, G., Pernice, R., & Busacca, A. C. (2013). Recovery Capabilities of Rateless Codes on Simulated Turbulent Terrestrial Free Space Optics Channel Model. International Journal of Antennas and Propagation, 2013, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/692915Ghassemlooy, Z., Le Minh, H., Rajbhandari, S., Perez, J., & Ijaz, M. (2012). Performance Analysis of Ethernet/Fast-Ethernet Free Space Optical Communications in a Controlled Weak Turbulence Condition. Journal of Lightwave Technology, 30(13), 2188-2194. doi:10.1109/jlt.2012.2194271Xiaoming Zhu, & Kahn, J. M. (2002). Free-space optical communication through atmospheric turbulence channels. IEEE Transactions on Communications, 50(8), 1293-1300. doi:10.1109/tcomm.2002.800829Xu, F., Khalighi, A., Caussé, P., & Bourennane, S. (2009). Channel coding and time-diversity for optical wireless links. Optics Express, 17(2), 872. doi:10.1364/oe.17.00087

Underwater optical communication systems

I present in this thesis the results of my research in the field of underwater optical communication system (UOCS). Recently, underwater free-space optical (FSO) communication has been one of the major interesting research subjects due to the high demand for underwater activities that require high-bandwidth and flexible solutions. An optical communication system consists of three main blocks: transmitter, medium and receiver. Therefore, I provide an introduction to the topic, outlining the physical reasons and the engineering challenges that are behind the following sections. Among others, the optical properties of ocean water, the optimum wavelength selection and a description of the main system components are provided so that the system link budget can be subsequently optimised. Various modulation schemes adopted in free-space optics communication are evaluated and compared with a focus on the most power-efficient modulation format that offers successful and reliable data transmission. The system performances are numerically investigated using statistical analysis techniques over a typical range of achievable SNR in an underwater scenario. The characterisation and the data performance of a commercial GaN-based laser diode operating at 450 nm are presented. The detrimental impact of the solar background power on the system performance and the strategy to minimise its contribution is also discussed for a conventional Silicon PIN detector and the novel Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) technology. The design trade-off between the performance improvement given by an optical narrow bandpass filter matching a Fraunhofer line and the field-of-view of the receiver is also presented. A flexible MATLAB model has been developed to simulate a range of different scenarios and evaluate the system performances in different situations and the necessary design trade-off. A novel free-space waveguiding method is also presented for laser-based underwater communication systems. The proposed Underwater Wireless Acousto-Optic Waveguide (UWAOW) generates a localised modification of the refractive index of seawater in response to an acoustic field. Two geometries and their modelling are provided in order to take advantage of the proposed technique. These results show the importance of this emerging, challenging and fascinating contemporary research field

A review of communication-oriented optical wireless systems

This article presents an overview of optical wireless (OW) communication systems that operate both in the short- (personal and indoor systems) and the long-range (outdoor and hybrid) regimes. Each of these areas is discussed in terms of (a) key requirements, (b) their application framework, (c) major impairments and applicable mitigation techniques, and (d) current and/or future trends. Personal communication systems are discussed within the context of point-to-point ultra-high speed data transfer. The most relevant application framework and related standards are presented, including the next generation Giga-IR standard that extends personal communication speeds to over 1 Gb/s. As far as indoor systems are concerned, emphasis is given on modeling the dispersive nature of indoor OW channels, on the limitations that dispersion imposes on user mobility and dispersion mitigation techniques. Visible light communication systems, which provide both illumination and communication over visible or hybrid visible/ infrared LEDs, are presented as the most important representative of future indoor OW systems. The discussion on outdoor systems focuses on the impact of atmospheric effects on the optical channel and associated mitigation techniques that extend the realizable link lengths and transfer rates. Currently, outdoor OW is commercially available at 10 Gb/s Ethernet speeds for Metro networks and Local-Area-Network interconnections and speeds are expected to increase as faster and more reliable optical components become available. This article concludes with hybrid optical wireless/radio-frequency (OW/RF) systems that employ an additional RF link to improve the overall system reliability. Emphasis is given on cooperation techniques between the reliable RF subsystem and the broadband OW system