Engineering topics

Nguyen, Nam T.

Publications and source records attributed to Nguyen, Nam T..

3 records

NASA NTRS2002

Implementation of a 622 Mbps Digital Modem

This paper presents the implementation and initial test results of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) digital modem (modulator and demodulator) with an aggregate information throughput of 622 megabits per second (Mbps). The OFDM waveform is constructed by dividing an incoming data stream into four channels, each channel using either a 16-ary Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16QAM) scheme or an 8-Phase Shift Keying (8PSK) scheme. The generation and detection of the composite waveform are performed using Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and polyphase filtering, to digitally stack and band-limit the individual carriers respectively. The four-channel OFDM approach enables the implementation of a modem that can be both power and bandwidth efficient, with sufficient parallelism to meet higher data rate goals. As a result, the OFDM modem requires only a 240 MHz bandwidth to transmit 622 Mbps. Hardware and simulation results in the form of spectrum diagrams and bit-error-rate (BER) curves are also presented in this paper.

Kifle, Muli↗

NASA NTRS2002

622-Mbps Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Digital Modem Implemented

Future generation space communications systems feature significantly higher data rates and relatively smaller frequency spectrum allocations than systems currently deployed. This requires the application of bandwidth- and power-efficient signal transmission techniques. There are a number of approaches to implementing such techniques, including analog, digital, mixed-signal, single-channel, or multichannel systems. In general, the digital implementations offer more advantages; however, a fully digital implementation is very difficult because of the very high clock speeds required. Multichannel techniques are used to reduce the sampling rate. One such technique, multicarrier modulation, divides the data into a number of low-rate channels that are stacked in frequency. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), a form of multicarrier modulation, is being proposed for numerous systems, including mobile wireless and digital subscriber link communication systems. In response to this challenge, NASA Glenn Research Center's Communication Technology Division has developed an OFDM digital modem (modulator and demodulator) with an aggregate information throughput of 622 Mbps. The basic OFDM waveform is constructed by dividing an incoming data stream into four channels, each using either 16- ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) or 8-phase shift keying (8-PSK). An efficient implementation for an OFDM architecture is being achieved using the combination of a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) at the transmitter to digitally stack the individual carriers, inverse DFT at the receiver to perform the frequency translations, and a polyphase filter to facilitate the pulse shaping.

Kifle, Muli↗

NASA NTRS1997

Direct Data Distribution From Low-Earth Orbit

NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is developing the space and ground segment technologies necessary to demonstrate a direct data distribution (1)3) system for use in space-to-ground communication links from spacecraft in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to strategically located tracking ground terminals. The key space segment technologies include a K-band (19 GHz) MMIC-based transmit phased array antenna, and a multichannel bandwidth- and power-efficient digital encoder/modulate with an aggregate data rate of 622 Mb/s. Along with small (1.8 meter), low-cost tracking terminals on the ground, the D3 system enables affordable distribution of data to the end user or archive facility through interoperability with commercial terrestrial telecommunications networks. The D3 system is applicable to both government and commercial science and communications spacecraft in LEO. The features and benefits of the D3 system concept are described. Starting with typical orbital characteristics, a set of baseline requirements for representative applications is developed, including requirements for onboard storage and tracking terminals, and sample link budgets are presented. Characteristics of the transmit array antenna and digital encoder/modulator are described. The architecture and components of the tracking terminal are described, including technologies for the next generation terminal. Candidate flights of opportunity for risk mitigation and space demonstration of the D3 features are identified.

Budinger, James M.↗