Spectrally Efficient Waveforms for the Return Link in Satellite Communication Systems

In this paper, we study the applicability of terrestrial mobile waveforms in the return link of a high throughput satellite (HTS) communication system. These include orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC). Key solutions to the challenges in a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite channel, such as synchronization and non-linear distortion, are presented. A global-positioning-system-(GPS)-based approach for synchronization acquisition is proposed, while suitable algorithms are studied for timing/frequency offset estimation and synchronization tracking. The spectral and power efficiencies of the schemes are optimized by means of an intermodulation interference (IMI) cancelling receiver, and these are compared to state-of-the-art time division multiple access (TDMA). Finally, end-to-end simulations validate the system performance

Advanced receivers and waveforms for UAV/Aircraft aeronautical communications

Nowadays, several studies are launched for the design of reliable and safe communications systems that introduce Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), this paves the way for UAV communication systems to play an important role in a lot of applications for non-segregated military and civil airspaces. Until today, rules for integrating commercial UAVs in airspace still need to be defined, the design of secure, highly reliable and cost effective communications systems still a challenging task. This thesis is part of this communication context. Motivated by the rapid growth of UAV quantities and by the new generations of UAVs controlled by satellite, the thesis aims to study the various possible UAV links which connect UAV/aircraft to other communication system components (satellite, terrestrial networks, etc.). Three main links are considered: the Forward link, the Return link and the Mission link. Due to spectrum scarcity and higher concentration in aircraft density, spectral efficiency becomes a crucial parameter for largescale deployment of UAVs. In order to set up a spectrally efficient UAV communication system, a good understanding of transmission channel for each link is indispensable, as well as a judicious choice of the waveform. This thesis begins to study propagation channels for each link: a mutipath channels through radio Line-of-Sight (LOS) links, in a context of using Meduim Altitude Long drones Endurance (MALE) UAVs. The objective of this thesis is to maximize the solutions and the algorithms used for signal reception such as channel estimation and channel equalization. These algorithms will be used to estimate and to equalize the existing muti-path propagation channels. Furthermore, the proposed methods depend on the choosen waveform. Because of the presence of satellite link, in this thesis, we consider two low-papr linear waveforms: classical Single-Carrier (SC) waveform and Extented Weighted Single-Carrier Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (EW-SC-OFDM) waveform. channel estimation and channel equalization are performed in the time-domain (SC) or in the frequency-domain (EW-SC-OFDM). UAV architecture envisages the implantation of two antennas placed at wings. These two antennas can be used to increase diversity gain (channel matrix gain). In order to reduce channel equalization complexity, the EWSC- OFDM waveform is proposed and studied in a muti-antennas context, also for the purpose of enhancing UAV endurance and also increasing spectral efficiency, a new modulation technique is considered: Spatial Modulation (SM). In SM, transmit antennas are activated in an alternating manner. The use of EW-SC-OFDM waveform combined to SM technique allows us to propose new modified structures which exploit exces bandwidth to improve antenna bit protection and thus enhancing system performances

A Low Cost TDRSS Compatible Transmitter Option

The NASA Space-based Telemetry and Range Safety (STARS) program has developed and tested a low cost Ku-Band transmitter alternative for TDRSS applications based on an existing IRIG shaped offset quaternary phase shift keying (SOQPSK) transmitter. This paper presents information related to the implementation of this low cost system, as well as performance measurements of the alternative TDRSS transmitter system compared with an existing QPSK TDRSS transmitter

Practical security considerations for IoT systems over satellite

Currently, the forecast for the European market for IoT is a yearly 19.8% increase up to reach $241 billion in 2025. Thisstrong growing will be concentrated in verticals from manufacturing, utilities, retail and transportation [1], [2]. However, in orderto monetize the potential services over IoT it is necessary to guarantee the security of the communications [3]. In this regardphysical-layer security methods may complement higher-layer encryption techniques by exploiting the characteristics of wirelesschannels. For this purpose, it is resorted to the secrecy-capacity metric to measure the security level. More specifically, it was shownin [4] that reliable information-theoretic security could be achieved, whenever the eavesdropper’s channel be a degraded versionof the legitimate user’s channel. In this case, if the secrecy rate is chosen below the secrecy-capacity, then reliable transmissionscan be achieved in perfect secrecy. However, the time-varying fading effect of wireless channels degrades the secrecy-capacity. Inthis situation, it is used the ergodic capacity to measure the secrecy-capacity [5]. In order to make the overhearing process of theeavesdroppers difficult, it is used the time-packing/faster than Nyquist strategy [6]- [7].Thus, the time-duration of the transmittedframes are reduced which: i) improves the interception probability of the packets, ii) augments the spectral efficiency of theM2M communications without increasing the transmission bandwidth, iii) diminishes the effect of Doppler spread in Non-GEOcommunications, and iv) permits to use the overlapping degree among the pulse shapes to boost the secrecy-capacity. On thecontrary, this overlapping degree introduces a multi-path channel that may difficult the synchronization process. However, thecoefficients of the multipath channel are known by the legitimate user but ignored by the eavesdropper. This strategy of securityis similar to that the Artificial Noise (AN) one pursues [5], [8]- [9], but without wasting energy for jamming the eavesdropper’schannel.Note that the satellite channel model has a large Line of Sight (LoS) component. So, it means that the channel of theeavesdropper and the legitimate user could be quite similar in the same beam of the satellite constellation. So it is necessary todistort the channel of the desired user in order to increase the security of the communications. The use of non-Nyquist pulses,permits to introduce an artificial multipath interference that degrades the eavesdropper’s channel. In this case, we have consideredtwo types of eavesdropper: i) without being able to estimate the time-packing multipath, and ii) equipped with an estimationblock of the time-packing interference. In the first case, all interference signals are considered as noise whereas in the secondone part of the interference is assumed as noise. In both cases, it is possible to obtain a secrecy-capacity. Finally, comment thatin satellite constellation there is a residual co-channel interference. This interference limits the resolution of the eavesdroppersalthough they be equipped with multiple antennas. We have considered that the eavesdropper does not have full knowledge of thetime-packed/faster than Nyquist multi-path interference. This pragmatic approach was also followed in [9]. However, there therain losses made difficult to obtain perfect channel estimations.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A General Framework for Analyzing, Characterizing, and Implementing Spectrally Modulated, Spectrally Encoded Signals

Fourth generation (4G) communications will support many capabilities while providing universal, high speed access. One potential enabler for these capabilities is software defined radio (SDR). When controlled by cognitive radio (CR) principles, the required waveform diversity is achieved via a synergistic union called CR-based SDR. Research is rapidly progressing in SDR hardware and software venues, but current CR-based SDR research lacks the theoretical foundation and analytic framework to permit efficient implementation. This limitation is addressed here by introducing a general framework for analyzing, characterizing, and implementing spectrally modulated, spectrally encoded (SMSE) signals within CR-based SDR architectures. Given orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a 4G candidate signal, OFDM-based signals are collectively classified as SMSE since modulation and encoding are spectrally applied. The proposed framework provides analytic commonality and unification of SMSE signals. Applicability is first shown for candidate 4G signals, and resultant analytic expressions agree with published results. Implementability is then demonstrated in multiple coexistence scenarios via modeling and simulation to reinforce practical utility

Ka-Band Link Study and Analysis for a Mars Hybrid RF/Optical Software Defined Radio

The integrated radio and optical communications (iROC) project at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is investigating the feasibility of a hybrid RF and optical communication subsystem for future deep space missions. The hybrid communications subsystem enables the advancement of optical communications while simultaneously mitigating the risk of infusion by combining an experimental optical transmitter and telescope with a reliable Ka-band RF transmitter and antenna. The iROC communications subsystem seeks to maximize the total data return over the course of a potential 2-year mission in Mars orbit beginning in 2021. Although optical communication by itself offers potential for greater data return over RF, the reliable Ka-band link is also being designed for high data return capability in this hybrid system. A daily analysis of the RF link budget over the 2-year span is performed to optimize and provide detailed estimates of the RF data return. In particular, the bandwidth dependence of these data return estimates is analyzed for candidate waveforms. In this effort, a data return modeling tool was created to analyze candidate RF modulation and coding schemes with respect to their spectral efficiency, amplifier output power back-off, required digital to analog conversion (DAC) sampling rates, and support by ground receivers. A set of RF waveforms is recommended for use on the iROC platform

An Investigation into the Implementation and Performance of Spectrally Shaped Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) is a flexible, robust multi-carrier modulation scheme. The orthogonal spectral shaping and spacing of OFDM sub-carriers ensure that their spectra can be over-lapped without leading to undesirable inter-carrier interference. Conventional OFDM systems have non-band limited Sinc(x) shaped subcarrier spectra. An alternative form of OFDM, referred to hereafter as Spectrally Shaped OFDM, employs band limited Nyquist shaped sub-carrier spectra. The research described in this thesis investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Spectrally Shaped OFDM as a potential modulation scheme for future mobile radio applications. From this research a novel Digital Signal Processing architecture for modulating and demodulating Spectrally Shaped OFDM sub-carriers has been derived which exploits the combination of a complex Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and PolyPhase Network (PPN) filter. This architecture is shown to significantly reduce the minimum number of computations required per symbol compared to previous designs. Using a custom coded computer simulation, the effects of varying the key parameters of the novel architecture's PolyPhase Filter (PPN) filter an the overall system complexity, spectral performance and system signal-to-distortion have been extensively studied. From these studies it is shown that compared to similar conventional OFDM systems, Spectrally Shaped OFDM systems possess superior out-of-band spectral qualities but significantly worse Peak-to-Average-Power-Ratio (PAPR) envelope performance. lt is also shown that the absolute value of the end PPN filter coefficients (dependent on the roll-off factor of the sub-carrier spectral shaping) dictate the system signal-to-distortion ratio when no time-domain windowing of the PPN filter coefficients is applied. Finally the effects of a both time and frequency selective fast fading channels on the modulation scheme's uncoded Bit Error Rate (BER) versus Signal-to-Noise (SNR) performance are simulated. The results obtained indicate that Spectrally Shaped OFDM is more robust (lower BER) to frequency-selective fading than time-selective fading

An aeronautical mobile satellite experiment

The various activities and findings of a NASA/FAA/COMSAT/INMARSAT collaborative aeronautical mobile satellite experiment are detailed. The primary objective of the experiment was to demonstrate and evaluate an advanced digital mobile satellite terminal developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory under the NASA Mobile Satellite Program. The experiment was a significant milestone for NASA/JPL, since it was the first test of the mobile terminal in a true mobile satellite environment. The results were also of interest to the general mobile satellite community because of the advanced nature of the technologies employed in the terminal

Tone calibration technique: A digital signaling scheme for mobile applications

Residual carrier modulation is conventionally used in a communication link to assist the receiver with signal demodulation and detection. Although suppressed carrier modulation has a slight power advantage over the residual carrier approach in systems enjoying a high level of stability, it lacks sufficient robustness to be used in channels severely contaminated by noise, interference and propagation effects. In mobile links, in particular, the vehicle motion and multipath waveform propagation affect the received carrier in an adverse fashion. A residual carrier scheme that uses a pilot carrier to calibrate a mobile channel against multipath fading anomalies is described. The benefits of this scheme, known as tone calibration technique, are described. A brief study of the system performance in the presence of implementation anomalies is also given