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At least 163 records · Page 9

Performance measurement results for a 220 Mbps QPPM optical communication receiver with an EG/G Slik APD

The performance of a 220 Mbps quaternary pulse position modulation (QPPM) optical communication receiver with a 'Slik' silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) and a wideband transimpedance preamplifier in a small hybrid circuit module was measured. The receiver performance had been poor due to the lack of a wideband and low noise transimpedance preamplifier. With the new APB preamplifier module, the receiver achieved a bit error rate (BER) of 10 exp -6 at an average received input optical signal power of 4.2 nW, which corresponds to an average of 80 received (incident) signal photons per information bit.

Davidson, Frederic M.↗

An OFDM System Using Polyphase Filter and DFT Architecture for Very High Data Rate Applications

This paper presents a conceptual architectural design of a four-channel Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system with an aggregate information throughput of 622 megabits per second (Mbps). Primary emphasis is placed on the generation and detection of the composite waveform using polyphase filter and Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) approaches to digitally stack and bandlimit the individual carriers. The four-channel approach enables the implementation of a system that can be both power and bandwidth efficient, yet enough parallelism exists to meet higher data rate goals. It also enables a DC power efficient transmitter that is suitable for on-board satellite systems, and a moderately complex receiver that is suitable for low-cost ground terminals. The major advantage of the system as compared to a single channel system is lower complexity and DC power consumption. This is because the highest sample rate is half that of the single channel system and synchronization can occur at most, depending on the synchronization technique, a quarter of the rate of a single channel system. The major disadvantage is the increased peak-to-average power ratio over the single channel system. Simulation results in a form of bit-error-rate (BER) curves are presented in this paper.

Kifle, Muli↗

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↗

Optical Communication with Semiconductor Laser Diode

Theoretical and experimental performance limits of a free-space direct detection optical communication system were studied using a semiconductor laser diode as the optical transmitter and a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) as the receiver photodetector. Optical systems using these components are under consideration as replacements for microwave satellite communication links. Optical pulse position modulation (PPM) was chosen as the signal format. An experimental system was constructed that used an aluminum gallium arsenide semiconductor laser diode as the transmitter and a silicon avalanche photodiode photodetector. The system used Q=4 PPM signaling at a source data rate of 25 megabits per second. The PPM signal format requires regeneration of PPM slot clock and word clock waveforms in the receiver. A nearly exact computational procedure was developed to compute receiver bit error rate without using the Gaussion approximation. A transition detector slot clock recovery system using a phase lock loop was developed and implemented. A novel word clock recovery system was also developed. It was found that the results of the nearly exact computational procedure agreed well with actual measurements of receiver performance. The receiver sensitivity achieved was the closest to the quantum limit yet reported for an optical communication system of this type.

Davidson, Frederic↗

A forward error correction technique using a high-speed, high-rate single chip codec

The authors describe an error-correction coding approach that allows operation in either burst or continuous modes at data rates of multiple hundreds of megabits per second. Bandspreading is low since the code rate is 7/8 or greater, which is consistent with high-rate link operation. The encoder, along with a hard-decision decoder, fits on a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. Soft-decision decoding is possible utilizing applique hardware in conjunction with the hard-decision decoder. Expected coding gain is a function of the application and is approximately 2.5 dB for hard-decision decoding at 10-5 bit-error rate with phase-shift-keying modulation and additive Gaussian white noise interference. The principal use envisioned for this technique is to achieve a modest amount of coding gain on high-data-rate, bandwidth-constrained channels. Data rates of up to 300 Mb/s can be accommodated by the codec chip. The major objective is burst-mode communications, where code words are composed of 32 n data bits followed by 32 overhead bits.

Boyd, R. W.↗

A bandwidth efficient coding scheme for the Hubble Space Telescope

As a demonstration of the performance capabilities of trellis codes using multidimensional signal sets, a Viterbi decoder was designed. The choice of code was based on two factors. The first factor was its application as a possible replacement for the coding scheme currently used on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HST at present uses the rate 1/3 nu = 6 (with 2 (exp nu) = 64 states) convolutional code with Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation. With the modulator restricted to a 3 Msym/s, this implies a data rate of only 1 Mbit/s, since the bandwidth efficiency K = 1/3 bit/sym. This is a very bandwidth inefficient scheme, although the system has the advantage of simplicity and large coding gain. The basic requirement from NASA was for a scheme that has as large a K as possible. Since a satellite channel was being used, 8PSK modulation was selected. This allows a K of between 2 and 3 bit/sym. The next influencing factor was INTELSAT's intention of transmitting the SONET 155.52 Mbit/s standard data rate over the 72 MHz transponders on its satellites. This requires a bandwidth efficiency of around 2.5 bit/sym. A Reed-Solomon block code is used as an outer code to give very low bit error rates (BER). A 16 state rate 5/6, 2.5 bit/sym, 4D-8PSK trellis code was selected. This code has reasonable complexity and has a coding gain of 4.8 dB compared to uncoded 8PSK (2). This trellis code also has the advantage that it is 45 deg rotationally invariant. This means that the decoder needs only to synchronize to one of the two naturally mapped 8PSK signals in the signal set.

Pietrobon, Steven S.↗

A Gigabit-per-Second Ka-Band Demonstration Using a Reconfigurable FPGA Modulator

Gigabit-per-second communications have been a desired target for future NASA Earth science missions, and for potential manned lunar missions. Frequency bandwidth at S-band and X-band is typically insufficient to support missions at these high data rates. In this paper, we present the results of a 1 Gbps 32-QAM end-to-end experiment at Ka-band using a reconfigurable Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) baseband modulator board. Bit error rate measurements of the received signal using a software receiver demonstrate the feasibility of using ultra-high data rates at Ka-band, although results indicate that error correcting coding and/or modulator predistortion must be implemented in addition. Also, results of the demonstration validate the low-cost, MOS-based reconfigurable modulator approach taken to development of a high rate modulator, as opposed to more expensive ASIC or pure analog approaches.

reconfigurable↗

Performance measurements for a laboratory-simulated 30/20 GHz communication satellite transponder

NASA has developed a digital satellite communications system simulator and test bed facility, known as the Systems Integration, Test and Evaluation (SITE) Project. The purpose of the facility is to evaluate satellite system components, develop and verify system concepts, and perform satellite system experiments. A recently completed set of experiments measured the performance of the 30/20 GHz satellite transponder portion of the system in terms of RF parameters and high rate digital data transmission. The results of these tests indicate the quality of data transmission which can be obtained under various transponder conditions, as well as the relative effects of degraded RF performance on the bit-error rate (BER) of transmitted data.

Kerczewski, Robert J.↗

Performance measurements for a laboratory-simulated 30/20 GHz communication satellite transponder

NASA has developed a digital satellite communications system simulator and test bed facility, known as the SITE (System Integratrion, Test and Evaluation) Project. The purpose of the facility is to evaluate satellite system components, develop and verify system concepts, and perform satellite system experiments. A recently completed set of experiments measured the performance of the 30/20 GHz satellite transponder portion of the system in terms of RF parameters and high rate digital data transmission. The results of these tests indicate the quality of data transmission which can be obtained under various transponder operating conditions, as well as the relative effects of degraded RF performance on the bit-error rate (BER) of transmitted data.

Kerczewski, Robert J.↗

Advanced coding and modulation schemes for TDRSS

This paper describes the performance of the Ungerboeck and pragmatic 8-Phase Shift Key (PSK) Trellis Code Modulation (TCM) coding techniques with and without a (255,223) Reed-Solomon outer code as they are used for Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) S-Band and Ku-Band return services. The performance of these codes at high data rates is compared to uncoded Quadrature PSK (QPSK) and rate 1/2 convolutionally coded QPSK in the presence of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), self-interference, and hardware distortions. This paper shows that the outer Reed-Solomon code is necessary to achieve a 10(exp -5) Bit Error Rate (BER) with an acceptable level of degradation in the presence of RFI. This paper also shows that the TCM codes with or without the Reed-Solomon outer code do not perform well in the presence of self-interference. In fact, the uncoded QPSK signal performs better than the TCM coded signal in the self-interference situation considered in this analysis. Finally, this paper shows that the E(sub b)/N(sub 0) degradation due to TDRSS hardware distortions is approximately 1.3 dB with a TCM coded signal or a rate 1/2 convolutionally coded QPSK signal and is 3.2 dB with an uncoded QPSK signal.

Harrell, Linda↗

Coherent Optical Focal Plane Array Receiver for PPM Signals: Investigation and Applications

The performance of a coherent optical focal plane array receiver for PPM signals under atmospheric turbulence is investigated and applications of this system are addressed. The experimental demonstration of this project has already been explained in previous publications [1]. This article shows a more exhaustive analysis of the expressions needed to obtain the Bit Error Rate (BER) for the real system under study in the laboratory. Selected experimental results of this system are described and compared with theoretical BER expressions, and array combining gains are presented. Receiver sensitivity in terms of photons per bit (PPB) is examined; BER results are shown as a function of signal to noise ratios, (SNR), as well as a function of photons per symbol, and photons per bit.

shot noise limited↗

High-rate convolutional code construction with the minimum required SNR criterion

New short constraint length, high-rate convolutional codes which minimize the required signal to noise ratios (SNR) are found and tabulated for rates 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5, and for constraint length K up to 10. When compared with previously reported codes, most of the new codes reduce the required SNR only slightly. However, there are some pairs of K and code rate for which the new codes require considerably less SNR. The most significant one is the new K = 8, ate 4/5 code which requires 1.2 dB less SNR than the known code with the same parameters, for a desired bit error rate of 0.000001.

Lee, P. J.↗

Space vehicle Viterbi decoder

The design and fabrication of an extremely low-power, constraint-length 7, rate 1/3 Viterbi decoder brassboard capable of operating at information rates of up to 100 kb/s is presented. The brassboard is partitioned to facilitate a later transition to an LSI version requiring even less power. The effect of soft-decision thresholds, path memory lengths, and output selection algorithms on the bit error rate is evaluated. A branch synchronization algorithm is compared with a more conventional approach. The implementation of the decoder and its test set (including all-digital noise source) are described along with the results of various system tests and evaluations. Results and recommendations are presented.

Source record↗

T1 VSAT Fade Compensation Statistical Results

New satellite communication systems are steadily seeking to use higher frequency bands to accommodate the requirements for additional capacity. At these higher frequencies, propagation impairments that did not significantly affect the signal at lower frequencies begin to have considerable impact. In Ka-band. the next logical commercial frequency band to be used for satellite communication, attenuation of the signal due to rain is a primary concern. An experimental satellite built by NASA, the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS). launched in September 1993, is the first U.S. communication satellite operating in the Ka-band. In addition to higher carrier frequencies, a number of other new technologies, including on-board baseband processing. multiple beam antennas, and rain fade detection and compensation techniques, were designed into the ACTS. Verification experiments have been conducted since the launch to characterize the new technologies. The focus of this paper is to characterize the method used by the ACTS TI Very Small Aperture Terminal (TI VSAT) ground stations in detecting the presence of fade in the communication signal and to adaptively compensate for it by the addition of burst rate reduction and forward error correction. Measured data obtained from the ACTS program was used to validate the compensation technique. A software process was developed and demonstrated to statistically characterize the increased availability achieved by the compensation techniques in terms of the bit error rate time enhancement factor. Several improvements to the ACTS technique are discussed and possible implementations for future Ka band system are offered.

Johnson, Sandra K.↗

Analysis of Fade Detection and Compensation Experimental Results in a Ka-Band Satellite System

The frequency bands being used for new satellite communication systems are constantly increasing to accommodate the requirements for additional capacity. At these higher frequencies, propagation impairments that did not significantly affect the signal at lower frequencies begin to have considerable impact. In Ka-band, the next logical commercial frequency band to be used for satellite communication, attenuation of the signal due to rain is a primary concern. An experimental satellite built by NASA, the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS), launched in September 1993, is the first US communication satellite operating in the Ka-band. In addition to higher carrier frequencies, a number of other new technologies, including onboard baseband processing, multiple beam antennas, and rain fade detection and compensation techniques, were designed into the ACTS. Verification experiments have been conducted since the launch to characterize the new technologies. The focus of this thesis is to describe and validate the method used by the ACTS Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) ground stations in detecting the presence of fade in the communication signal and to adaptively compensate for it by the addition of burst rate reduction and forward error correction. Measured data obtained from the ACTS program is used to validate the compensation technique. In this thesis, models in MATLAB are developed to statistically characterize the increased availability achieved by the compensation techniques in terms of the bit error rate time enhancement factor. Several improvements to the ACTS technique are discussed and possible implementations for future Ka-band systems are also presented.

Johnson, Sandra↗

Advances in Serial MSK modems

Lumped element as well as distributed element networks are used in the Serial MSK (SMSK) modems, for 20-1000 Mbps data rate range applications, whose design and performance characteristics are described. It is noted that the use of baseband conversion filters for the modulator yields good performance in many applications, with typical matched filter designs (structurally simple to implement) causing less than 0.5 dB bit error rate performance degradation. The SMSK modem technique begins with the use of a biphased shift-keyed modulator, and then employs passive filters to obtain the MSK signal.

Ryan, C. R.↗

A scalable superconducting nanowire memory array with row–column addressing

Scalable superconducting memory is required for the development of low-energy superconducting computers and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Conventional superconducting logic-based memory cells possess a large footprint that limits scaling; nanowire-based superconducting memory cells, although more compact, have high error rates, which hinders integration into large arrays. Here we report a 4 × 4 superconducting nanowire memory array that is designed for scalable row–column operations and has a functional density of 2.6 Mbit cm −2 . Each memory cell is based on a nanowire loop consisting of two temperature-dependent superconducting switches and a variable kinetic inductor. The arrays operate at 1.3 K, where we implement and characterize multiflux quanta state storage and destructive read-out. By optimizing the write- and read-pulse sequences, we minimize bit errors and maximize operating margins. We achieve a minimum bit error rate of 10 −5 . Here, we also use circuit-level simulations to understand the memory cell’s dynamics, performance limits and stability under varying pulse amplitudes.

Electrical and electronic engineering↗

Evaluation of voice codecs for the Australian mobile satellite system

The evaluation procedure to choose a low bit rate voice coding algorithm is described for the Australian land mobile satellite system. The procedure is designed to assess both the inherent quality of the codec under 'normal' conditions and its robustness under 'severe' conditions. For the assessment, normal conditions were chosen to be random bit error rate with added background acoustic noise and the severe condition is designed to represent burst error conditions when mobile satellite channel suffers from signal fading due to roadside vegetation. The assessment is divided into two phases. First, a reduced set of conditions is used to determine a short list of candidate codecs for more extensive testing in the second phase. The first phase conditions include quality and robustness and codecs are ranked with a 60:40 weighting on the two. Second, the short listed codecs are assessed over a range of input voice levels, BERs, background noise conditions, and burst error distributions. Assessment is by subjective rating on a five level opinion scale and all results are then used to derive a weighted Mean Opinion Score using appropriate weights for each of the test conditions.

Bundrock, Tony↗