Radio communication via near vertical incidence skywave system

Abstract. While the overall picture of our cutting-edge communication framework is one of high unwavering quality, the practical experience could be completely different during catastrophic situations, when communication services are disrupted due to damages in the communications infrastructure. Moreover, wireless connectivity in remote areas of the works is still a highly significant problem, with an estimated two billion people being outside of the connected world. This thesis studies the use of high frequencies communications as a way to address the abovementioned cases. High frequency (HF) communication utilizes radio waves between 3 and 30 MHz with the wavelengths of 100 to 10 m. The dominant means of long-distance communication in this band is skywave propagation, in which radio waves that are directed at an angle into the sky are reflected on Earth by the ionized layers of the atmosphere. HF ionospheric reflection technique is commonly used specifically for military, maritime, aeronautical, and emergency communication in remote areas, and as backup system. Factors such as season, sunspot cycle, solar activity, as well as polar aurora plays significant roles in the sustainability of HF radio communications. Propagation plays the most significant role while designing a communication network. Radio waves propagates with an objective of transmitting signal successfully without having an error. So, studies on wave propagation mechanisms, channel and noises are equally important. This thesis focuses on high frequency near vertical incidence skywave (HF NVIS) technology. NVIS, exploiting a frequency range of 2–10 MHz, can provide continuous coverage up to a couple of hundred kilometres from the transmitter without skip zone. NVIS operation is considered during disaster relief operations when infrastructure is severely damaged or where tactical communication is needed in military operations. NVIS operation requires the presence of substantial ionization in the ionosphere directly above the transmitter. For optimizing a NVIS communication system, the most important parameters to consider are elevation angle, fading, noise and polarization. Furthermore, NVIS operation requires careful selection of antennas, operating frequency, maximum usable frequency (MUF), lowest usable frequency (LUF), as well as frequency of optimum transmission (FOT) for successful communication. At the time of emergency, low data services such as voice and text could be easily established with NVIS system. A comprehensive overview of NVIS based on number of research articles is given which highlights ionospheric propagation, antennas, the operational use of HF communications, as well as applications. Further, we highlight the challenges with possible solutions, and future research direction to ensure NVIS system sustainability. From this literature review, the significant relationship between NVIS antenna and NVIS propagation mechanism is discussed. Furthermore, thesis provides a reference text to understand various elements of NVIS system and demonstrate how modern technology can be used to solve HF issues. We believe that this article will encourage more interests in addressing the technical challenges on the research and development of future HF radio communication systems

HF spectrum activity prediction model based on HMM for cognitive radio applications

Although most of the research on Cognitive Radio is focused on communication bands above the HF upper limit (30 MHz), Cognitive Radio principles can also be applied to HF communications to make use of the extremely scarce spectrum more efficiently. In this work we consider legacy users as primary users since these users transmit without resorting to any smart procedure, and our stations using the HFDVL (HF Data+Voice Link) architecture as secondary users. Our goal is to enhance an efficient use of the HF band by detecting the presence of uncoordinated primary users and avoiding collisions with them while transmitting in different HF channels using our broad-band HF transceiver. A model of the primary user activity dynamics in the HF band is developed in this work to make short-term predictions of the sojourn time of a primary user in the band and avoid collisions. It is based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM) which are a powerful tool for modelling stochastic random processes and are trained with real measurements of the 14 MHz band. By using the proposed HMM based model, the prediction model achieves an average 10.3% prediction error rate with one minute-long channel knowledge but it can be reduced when this knowledge is extended: with the previous 8 min knowledge, an average 5.8% prediction error rate is achieved. These results suggest that the resulting activity model for the HF band could actually be used to predict primary users activity and included in a future HF cognitive radio based station

Vectorial characterization of DVB-T propagation channel - Application to radio-Mobile communications : the CAVITE Project

International audienceIn this paper, the whole project CAVITE is described. This project is proposed within the framework of sets of themes around "Sciences and Technologies of Information and Communication" for radio-mobile digital communication in order to increase the data rate or quality of transmission. One of the objectives is the reception of Digital Video Broadcasting on Terrestrial networks (DVB T) in vehicular condition (car, train ...)

Low-Power High Frequency Communications

This research investigates the transmission and reception of signals over the High Frequency (HF) band. HF communications are useful over long distances, but experience performance problems such as channel fading and low data rates. Our project researches the viability of using left- and right-handed circular polarized signals to increase data rates and link reliability. Two project sites are used for testing and use a cross-dipole antenna setup, and the Ettus Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) software defined radio for transmission and reception. The project will evaluate whether the implemented setup allows for the left- and right-hand polarized signals to be separated at the receiver, which is important for reliable communications, less fading, and increased data rate

Near Vertical Incidence Skywave propagation measurements duplicated in Spain and The Netherlands

(Report on a completed Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) funded by EurAAP) The ionosphere – under influence of the earth magnetic field – splits linearly polarized waves into two circularly polarized waves with opposite rotation sense [1]: magneto-ionic propagation. Our previous empirical NVIS research [2-4] has shown that that two orthogonal (physical) propagation channels can be created using dual circular polarization antennas, potentially doubling channel capacity. All previous measurements where performed on a 110 km long North-South path in The Netherlands (53ºN). To prove that the concept is not limited to specific azimuth angles and distances, the following experiment was designed: Multiple (4-8) beacon transmitters are set-up at random azimuth angles and random distances between 50 and 200 km around a single receiver site, the transmitters operating at a frequency around 7 MHz. Each beacon switches between Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP), Left hand Circular Polarization (LHCP) and linear polarization every 12 seconds. The signal of all beacons is recorded using a high-end digital receiver with 2 coherent antenna inputs, connected to two orthogonal dipoles. From this raw data, simultaneous reception of RHCP, LHCP and linear polarizations can be created. Isolation between the LHCP and RHCP channels will be calculated for each instant in time. The experiment is considered successful when more than 20 dB isolation is achieved. Possible improvement with adaptive elliptical polarization will be studied. Also the fading on the RHCP, LHCP and linearly polarized signals will be characterized and compared. The vertical angle of the earth’s magnetic field – which depends on the latitude of the location – is of influence on the magneto-ionic propagation. To prove that the experiment latitude is not critical to our earlier results, the experiment is first performed in The Netherlands (53ºN), then duplicated in Spain (41ºN), with the assistance of experts of the La Salle Ramon Llull University of Barcelona. Travel and lodging costs for this cooperation are sponsored by the European Association on Antennas and Propagation (EurAAP) through their Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) program, which stimulates cooperation between propagation experts of different European countries

A Simulation Study of Cooperative Communications over HF Channels

The High Frequency (HF) band lies within 2-30 MHz of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this part of the spectrum, propagation via direct wave, surface wave, and ionospheric refraction mechanisms provides means of communications from line-of-sight to beyond-line-of-sight ranges. The characteristics of ionospheric channel impose fundamental limitations on the performance of HF communication systems. The major impairment is fading which results in random fluctuations in the received signal level and affects the instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio. This requires the deployment of powerful diversity techniques to mitigate the degrading effects of fading on the performance. The range of wavelengths in HF band unfortunately restricts the use of spatial diversity (i.e., deployment of multiple antennas) for most practical purposes. This thesis focuses on an alternative method to exploit the spatial dimension of the HF channel. Specifically, we aim to extract distributed spatial diversity through relay-assisted transmission. Towards this main goal, we consider multi-carrier HF communication and investigate the performance of cooperative OFDM over HF channels

Heliophysics and Amateur Radio:Citizen Science Collaborations for Atmospheric, Ionospheric, and Space Physics Research and Operations

The amateur radio community is a global, highly engaged, and technical community with an intense interest in space weather, its underlying physics, and how it impacts radio communications. The large-scale observational capabilities of distributed instrumentation fielded by amateur radio operators and radio science enthusiasts offers a tremendous opportunity to advance the fields of heliophysics, radio science, and space weather. Well-established amateur radio networks like the RBN, WSPRNet, and PSKReporter already provide rich, ever-growing, long-term data of bottomside ionospheric observations. Up-and-coming purpose-built citizen science networks, and their associated novel instruments, offer opportunities for citizen scientists, professional researchers, and industry to field networks for specific science questions and operational needs. Here, we discuss the scientific and technical capabilities of the global amateur radio community, review methods of collaboration between the amateur radio and professional scientific community, and review recent peer-reviewed studies that have made use of amateur radio data and methods. Finally, we present recommendations submitted to the U.S. National Academy of Science Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024–2033 for using amateur radio to further advance heliophysics and for fostering deeper collaborations between the professional science and amateur radio communities. Technical recommendations include increasing support for distributed instrumentation fielded by amateur radio operators and citizen scientists, developing novel transmissions of RF signals that can be used in citizen science experiments, developing new amateur radio modes that simultaneously allow for communications and ionospheric sounding, and formally incorporating the amateur radio community and its observational assets into the Space Weather R2O2R framework. Collaborative recommendations include allocating resources for amateur radio citizen science research projects and activities, developing amateur radio research and educational activities in collaboration with leading organizations within the amateur radio community, facilitating communication and collegiality between professional researchers and amateurs, ensuring that proposed projects are of a mutual benefit to both the professional research and amateur radio communities, and working towards diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities

Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Communication Networks for the Maritime Internet of Things: Key Technologies, Opportunities, and Challenges

With the rapid development of marine activities, there has been an increasing number of maritime mobile terminals, as well as a growing demand for high-speed and ultra-reliable maritime communications to keep them connected. Traditionally, the maritime Internet of Things (IoT) is enabled by maritime satellites. However, satellites are seriously restricted by their high latency and relatively low data rate. As an alternative, shore & island-based base stations (BSs) can be built to extend the coverage of terrestrial networks using fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and beyond 5G services. Unmanned aerial vehicles can also be exploited to serve as aerial maritime BSs. Despite of all these approaches, there are still open issues for an efficient maritime communication network (MCN). For example, due to the complicated electromagnetic propagation environment, the limited geometrically available BS sites, and rigorous service demands from mission-critical applications, conventional communication and networking theories and methods should be tailored for maritime scenarios. Towards this end, we provide a survey on the demand for maritime communications, the state-of-the-art MCNs, and key technologies for enhancing transmission efficiency, extending network coverage, and provisioning maritime-specific services. Future challenges in developing an environment-aware, service-driven, and integrated satellite-air-ground MCN to be smart enough to utilize external auxiliary information, e.g., sea state and atmosphere conditions, are also discussed

Oblique Sounding and HF Communication Techniques for Very Long Haul Ionospheric Links

El sistema de comunicació ràdio d’alta freqüència (HF, en anglès) és usat arreu del món per agències governamentals i no governamentals sempre que calgui una alternativa a les comunicacions via satèl•lit: vaixells a alta mar, avions fora de cobertura de xarxes ràdio amb visió directa, operacions militars, zones on la infraestructura ha estat destruïda per algun tipus de desastre o bé zones llunyanes sense cap altre tipus de comunicació. La ràdio HF representa una alternativa, o un sistema de backup al satèl•lit per a comunicacions de llarg abast i en redueix els costos, evita la vulnerabilitat i els problemes de sobirania. En aquesta tesi s’ha estudiat l’enllaç HF entre la base antàrtica espanyola Juan Carlos I, situada a l’illa Livingston a l’arxipèlag de les Shetland del Sud, i Espanya. L’objectiu d’aquest treball és estudiar els problemes que afecten la propagació; és a dir, la relació senyal a soroll i interferència, la dispersió multicamí i la dispersió per efecte Doppler, i dissenyar la capa física d’un enllaç HF de baixa velocitat, poca potència i llarg abast. Pel que fa aquest últim punt es fan un parell de propostes: espectre eixamplat per seqüència directa (DSSS, en anglès) i multiplexació per divisió en freqüència ortogonal (OFDM, en anglès). El repte que es planteja és el de la definició de les característiques dels símbols que millor encaixen en aquest canal per tal d’obtenir un benefici de la diversitat temporal i freqüencial que ofereix el canal. Des de l’any 2003 diverses campanyes han permès estudiar aquest canal HF, però no va ser fins la campanya 2009/2010 que s’obtingué un foto de les característiques, diürnes i nocturnes, de la ionosfera. En els articles que es presenten en aquesta tesi hem estès el rang freqüencial d’estudi respecte a investigacions prèvies i hem mostrat diferències de comportament entre el dia i la nit. Hem usat els resultats de la caracterització del canal per a dissenyar i comparar la bondat dels símbols DSSS i OFDM. Ambdues possibilitats han resultat ser candidates a implementar l’enllaç HF entre l’Antàrtida i Espanya. Tot i així, ambdues tècniques representen visions diferents de la implementació del mòdem: mentre que DSSS obté bons resultats a baixa velocitat en entorns amb baixa relació senyal a soroll, OFDM aconsegueix tasses de velocitat més elevades en canals més benignes.Los sistemas de radio de alta frecuencia (HF, en inglés) son usados por agencias gubernamentales y no gubernamentales en todo el mundo siempre que se necesite una alternativa a las comunicaciones por satélite: barcos en alta mar, aviones fuera del rango de cobertura de las redes radio de visión directa, operaciones militares, zonas donde la infraestructura ha sido destruida por algún desastre. Ésta ofrece una alternativa, o representa un sistema de backup, a las comunicaciones vía satélite, evitando los costes, la vulnerabilidad y los problemas de soberanía de las comunicaciones por satélite. En esta tesis se ha estudiado el enlace HF entre la base antártica española Juan Carlos I en la isla Livingston, en las Shetland del sur y España. El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio de las limitaciones de la propagación ionosférica (como la relación señal a ruido e interferencia, la dispersión multicamino y la dispersión por efecto Doppler) y el diseño de la capa física de un enlace HF de baja velocidad, baja potencia y largo alcance. Se han estudiado un par de propuestas para este enlace, como son el espectro ensanchado por secuencia directa (DSSS, en inglés) y la multiplexación por división en frecuencia ortogonal (OFDM, en inglés). El reto ha sido definir las características que mejor se adecuan a este enlace para poder aprovechar la diversidad temporal y frecuencial que ofrece el canal HF. Desde el año 2003 diversas campañas de sondeo han permitido estudiar el canal HF pero no es hasta la campaña 2009/2010 que se consigue una fotografía de la actividad ionosférica tanto nocturna como diurna. En los artículos que se presentan en esta tesis hemos extendido los estudios previos a todo el rango de frecuencias HF y hemos mostrado las diferencias entre el día y la noche. Hemos usado estos resultados de caracterización del canal para diseñar y comparar símbolos DSSS y símbolos OFDM. Ambas posibilidades han resultado ser posibles candidatas para implementar un enlace HF de baja velocidad entre la Antártida y España. Sin embargo ambas técnicas representan dos aproximaciones distintas a la implementación del módem. Mientras que DSSS consigue un buen funcionamiento a baja velocidad en escenarios con baja relación señal a ruido, OFDM consigue tasas de transmisión más altas en escenarios más benignos.High Frequency (HF) radio is used by governmental and non nongovernmental agencies worldwide whenever an alternative to satellites for sky wave communication is needed: ships at sea, aircraft out of range of line-of-sight radio networks, military operations, disaster areas with communication infrastructure destroyed or distant regions lacking other communications. It offers an alternative to satellites, or a backup, for long-haul communications, thus avoiding the costs, vulnerabilities and sovereignty concerns of satellite communications. In this thesis the HF link between the Antarctic Spanish Station Juan Carlos I in Livingston Island, South Shetlands and Spain is studied. The aim of this study is to address the impairments that affect HF propagation (i.e., signal-to-noise plus interference ratio, multipath and Doppler shift and spread) and to design the physical layer of a low rate, low power and long-haul HF link. Some proposals regarding this last issue are addressed, i.e., direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The challenge is to define the symbol characteristics that best fit the link to benefit from time and frequency diversity that offers the HF channel. Since 2003 several transmission campaigns have allowed to study the HF channel but it is not until the 2009/2010 campaign that we have achieved a whole picture of both diurnal and nocturnal ionospheric activity. In the papers presented in this thesis we have extended the previous research to the whole range of HF frequencies and we have shown the differences on performance between day and night. We have used the results from channel characterization to design and compare the performance of DSSS and OFDM symbols. Both techniques have turned out to be possible candidates to implement a low rate HF link between Antarctica and Spain. However, both techniques stand for different approaches of the modem: DSSS achieves good performance at low data rate in low SNR scenarios, whereas OFDM achieves higher data rate in benign channel