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At least 343 records · Page 19

Analysis of a Coded, M-ary Orthogonal Input Optical Channel with Random-gain Photomultiplier Detection

Performance of two coding systems is analyzed for a noisy optical channel with M(=2(L)-ary orthogonal signaling and random gain photomultiplier detection. The considered coding systems are the Reed Solomon (RS) coding with error only correction decoding and the interleaved binary convolutional system with soft decision Viterbi decoding. The required average number of received signal photons per information bit, N sub b, for a desired bit error of 0.000001 is found for a set of commonly used parameters and with a high background noise level. We find that the interleaved binary convolutional coding system is preferable to the RS coding system in performance complexity tradeoffs.

Lee, P. J.↗

Review of image processing fundamentals

Image processing through convolution, transform coding, spatial frequency alterations, sampling, and interpolation are considered. It is postulated that convolution in one domain (real or frequency) is equivalent to multiplication in the other (frequency or real), and that the relative amplitudes of the Fourier components must be retained to reproduce any waveshape. It is suggested that all digital systems may be considered equivalent, with a frequency content approximately at the Nyquist limit, and with a Gaussian frequency response. An optimized cubic version of the interpolation continuum image is derived as a set of cubic spines. Pixel replication has been employed to enlarge the visable area of digital samples, however, suitable elimination of the extraneous high frequencies involved in the visable edges, by defocusing, is necessary to allow the underlying object represented by the data values to be seen.

Billingsley, F. C.↗

Texture classification by local rank correlation

A new approach to texture classification based on local rank correlation is proposed here. Its performance is compared with Laws' method which uses local convolution with feature masks. In the experiments, texture samples are classified based on their distribution of local statistics, either rank correlations or convolutions. The new method achieves generally optimal classification rates. It appears to be more robust because local order statistics are unaffected by local sample differences due to monotonic shifts of texture gray values and are less sensitive to noise.

Harwood, D.↗

Maximum-Likelihood Decoder on a Hypercube Multiprocessor

Efficient parallel processing used to implement complex decoders. Hypercube multiprocessor connection scheme practical to decode long convolutional codes with efficient use of hardware. Hypercube design reduces both communication time among processors and space needed for interconnection. Decoding concept applicable to concurrent processing of digital signals using convolutional codes for error correction.

Pollara, F.↗

Nonlinear filter design

A technique for identifying nonlinear systems was introduced, beginning with a single input-single output system. Assuming the system is initially at rest, the first kernel (first convolution integral in the continuous case or first convolution sum in the discrete case) was calculated. A controllable and observable linear realization was then obtained in a particular canonical form. The actual nonlinear system was probed with an appropriate input (or inputs) and the output (or outputs) determined. For the linear system, the input was computed that produces the same output. In the difference between the inputs to the nonlinear and linear systems, basic information was found about the nonlinear system. There is an interesting class of nonlinear systems for which this type of identification scheme should prove to be accurate.

Hunt, L. R.↗

Combined coding and delay-throughput analysis for fading channels of mobile satellite communications

This paper presents the analysis of using the punctured convolutional code with Viterbi decoding to improve communications reliability. The punctured code rate is optimized so that the average delay is minimized. The coding gain in terms of the message delay is also defined. Since using punctured convolutional code with interleaving is still inadequate to combat the severe fading for short packets, the use of multiple copies of assignment and acknowledgment packets is suggested. The performance on the average end-to-end delay of this protocol is analyzed. It is shown that a replication of three copies for both assignment packets and acknowledgment packets is optimum for the cases considered.

Wang, C. C.↗

Development of a coded 16-ary CPFSK coherent demodulator

Theory and hardware are described for a proof-of-concept 16-ary continuous phase frequency shift keying (16-CPFSK) digital modem. The 16 frequencies are spaced every 1/16th baud rate for 2 bits/sec/Hz operation. Overall rate 3/4 convolutional coding is incorporated. The demodulator differs significantly from typical quadrature phase detector approaches in that phase is coherently measured by processing the baseband output of a frequency discriminator. Baud rate phase samples from the baseband processor are decoded to yield the original data stream. The method of encoding onto the 16-ary phase nodes, together with convolutional coding gain, results in near quad PSK (QPSK) performance. The modulated signal is of constant envelope; thus the power amplifier can be saturated for peak performance. The spectrum is inherently bandlimited and requires no RF filter.

Clarke, Ken↗

New coding advances for deep space communications

Advances made in error-correction coding for deep space communications are described. The code believed to be the best is a (15, 1/6) convolutional code, with maximum likelihood decoding; when it is concatenated with a 10-bit Reed-Solomon code, it achieves a bit error rate of 10 to the -6th, at a bit SNR of 0.42 dB. This code outperforms the Voyager code by 2.11 dB. The use of source statics in decoding convolutionally encoded Voyager images from the Uranus encounter is investigated, and it is found that a 2 dB decoding gain can be achieved.

Yuen, Joseph H.↗

Node synchronization of viterbi decoders using state metrics

The concept of node synchronization using state metrics is investigated. The branch metrics are integrated over a fixed time interval and the results are compared to the detection threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, the out-of-sync hypothesis is accepted; otherwise, the in-sync hypothesis is accepted. It is shown that the detection threshold can be chosen independent of any particular convolutional code with fixed code rate and constant length if the code has reasonably good bit error rate performance. Three node synchronization schemes are compared: (1) a scheme using the syndrome; (2) a scheme using the frame-sync patterns; and (3) a scheme using the state metrics. At very low signal to noise ratios (SNR), scheme 2 can be faster than scheme 1. For Voyager's rate 1/2 and constraint length 7 convolutional code, this happens for SNRs of less than 0.7 dB. This result is obtained by assuming that the code frame-sync pattern has good aperiodic autocorrelation properties. For a fixed false alarm probability, the sequential detection scheme based on the syndrome is faster than scheme 3 with fixed integration time. A sequential detection technique is needed to improve the speed of scheme 3.

Cheng, U.↗

Analysis of positron lifetime spectra in polymers

A new procedure for analyzing multicomponent positron lifetime spectra in polymers was developed. It requires initial estimates of the lifetimes and the intensities of various components, which are readily obtainable by a standard spectrum stripping process. These initial estimates, after convolution with the timing system resolution function, are then used as the inputs for a nonlinear least squares analysis to compute the estimates that conform to a global error minimization criterion. The convolution integral uses the full experimental resolution function, in contrast to the previous studies where analytical approximations of it were utilized. These concepts were incorporated into a generalized Computer Program for Analyzing Positron Lifetime Spectra (PAPLS) in polymers. Its validity was tested using several artificially generated data sets. These data sets were also analyzed using the widely used POSITRONFIT program. In almost all cases, the PAPLS program gives closer fit to the input values. The new procedure was applied to the analysis of several lifetime spectra measured in metal ion containing Epon-828 samples. The results are described.

Singh, Jag J.↗

Dynamic analysis of nonlinear rotor-housing systems

Nonlinear analysis methods are developed which will enable the reliable prediction of the dynamic behavior of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) turbopumps in the presence of bearing clearances and other local nonlinearities. A computationally efficient convolution method, based on discretized Duhamel and transition matrix integral formulations, is developed for the transient analysis. In the formulation, the coupling forces due to the nonlinearities are treated as external forces acting on the coupled subsystems. Iteration is utilized to determine their magnitudes at each time increment. The method is applied to a nonlinear generic model of the high pressure oxygen turbopump (HPOTP). As compared to the fourth order Runge-Kutta numerical integration methods, the convolution approach proved to be more accurate and more highly efficient. For determining the nonlinear, steady-state periodic responses, an incremental harmonic balance method was also developed. The method was successfully used to determine dominantly harmonic and subharmonic responses fo the HPOTP generic model with bearing clearances. A reduction method similar to the impedance formulation utilized with linear systems is used to reduce the housing-rotor models to their coordinates at the bearing clearances. Recommendations are included for further development of the method, for extending the analysis to aperiodic and chaotic regimes and for conducting critical parameteric studies of the nonlinear response of the current SSME turbopumps.

Noah, Sherif T.↗

A long constraint length VLSI Viterbi decoder for the DSN

A Viterbi decoder, capable of decoding convolutional codes with constraint lengths up to 15, is under development for the Deep Space Network (DSN). The objective is to complete a prototype of this decoder by late 1990, and demonstrate its performance using the (15, 1/4) encoder in Galileo. The decoder is expected to provide 1 to 2 dB improvement in bit SNR, compared to the present (7, 1/2) code and existing Maximum Likelihood Convolutional Decoder (MCD). The decoder will be fully programmable for any code up to constraint length 15, and code rate 1/2 to 1/6. The decoder architecture and top-level design are described.

Statman, J. I.↗

An algorithm for computing the distance spectrum of trellis codes

A class of quasiregular codes is defined for which the distance spectrum can be calculated from the codeword corresponding to the all-zero information sequence. Convolutional codes and regular codes are both quasiregular, as well as most of the best known trellis codes. An algorithm to compute the distance spectrum of linear, regular, and quasiregular trellis codes is presented. In particular, it can calculate the weight spectrum of convolutional (linear trellis) codes and the distance spectrum of most of the best known trellis codes. The codes do not have to be linear or regular, and the signals do not have to be used with equal probabilities. The algorithm is derived from a bidirectional stack algorithm, although it could also be based on the Viterbi algorithm. The algorithm is used to calculate the beginning of the distance spectrum of some of the best known trellis codes and to compute tight estimates on the first-event-error probability and on the bit-error probability.

Rouanne, Marc↗

Optimal focal-plane restoration

Image restoration can be implemented efficiently by calculating the convolution of the digital image and a small kernel during image acquisition. Processing the image in the focal-plane in this way requires less computation than traditional Fourier-transform-based techniques such as the Wiener filter and constrained least-squares filter. Here, the values of the convolution kernel that yield the restoration with minimum expected mean-square error are determined using a frequency analysis of the end-to-end imaging system. This development accounts for constraints on the size and shape of the spatial kernel and all the components of the imaging system. Simulation results indicate the technique is effective and efficient.

Reichenbach, Stephen E.↗

A combined finite element-boundary element formulation for solution of two-dimensional problems via CGFFT

A method for the computation of electromagnetic scattering from arbitrary two-dimensional bodies is presented. The method combines the finite element and boundary element methods leading to a system for solution via the conjugate gradient Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. Two forms of boundaries aimed at reducing the storage requirement of the boundary integral are investigated. It is shown that the boundary integral becomes convolutional when a circular enclosure is chosen, resulting in reduced storage requirement when the system is solved via the conjugate gradient FFT method. The same holds for the ogival enclosure, except that some of the boundary integrals are not convolutional and must be carefully treated to maintain O(N) memory requirement. Results for several circular and ogival structures are presented and shown to be in excellent agreement with those obtained by traditional methods.

Collins, Jeffery D.↗

A VLSI decomposition of the deBruijn graph

A new Viterbi decoder for convolutional codes with constraint lengths up to 15, called the Big Viterbi Decoder, is under development for the Deep Space Network. It will be demonstrated by decoding data from the Galileo spacecraft, which has a rate 1/4, constraint-length 15 convolutional encoder on board. Here, the mathematical theory underlying the design of the very-large-scale-integrated (VLSI) chips that are being used to build this decoder is explained. The deBruijn graph B sub n describes the topology of a fully parallel, rate 1/v, constraint length n+2 Viterbi decoder, and it is shown that B sub n can be built by appropriately wiring together (i.e., connecting together with extra edges) many isomorphic copies of a fixed graph called a B sub n building block. The efficiency of such a building block is defined as the fraction of the edges in B sub n that are present in the copies of the building block. It is shown, among other things, that for any alpha less than 1, there exists a graph G which is a B sub n building block of efficiency greater than alpha for all sufficiently large n. These results are illustrated by describing a special hierarchical family of deBruijn building blocks, which has led to the design of the gate-array chips being used in the Big Viterbi Decoder.

Collins, O.↗

Modulation and coding for satellite and space communications

Several modulation and coding advances supported by NASA are summarized. To support long-constraint-length convolutional code, a VLSI maximum-likelihood decoder, utilizing parallel processing techniques, which is being developed to decode convolutional codes of constraint length 15 and a code rate as low as 1/6 is discussed. A VLSI high-speed 8-b Reed-Solomon decoder which is being developed for advanced tracking and data relay satellite (ATDRS) applications is discussed. A 300-Mb/s modem with continuous phase modulation (CPM) and codings which is being developed for ATDRS is discussed. Trellis-coded modulation (TCM) techniques are discussed for satellite-based mobile communication applications.

Yuen, Joseph H.↗

Frame error rate of the NASA concatenated coding system

For a concatenated coding system, the effect of interleaving depth on interleaved frame-error rate is compiled by simulation. Comparisons are made for three different inner convolutional codes; all three systems have a (255,223) 8-bit Reed-Solomon code as an outer code. For all the inner convolutional codes tested, an interleaving depth smaller that 4 causes substantial loss.

Swanson, L.↗