Implementing polarization shift keying over satellite – system design and measurement results

Polarization shift keying (PolSK) is a digital modulation technique using the state of polarization of an electromagnetic wave as the signalling quantity. PolSK comes from fibre communications, where the channel offers two orthogonal states of polarization. This article develops on the idea to adapt this technology to satellite communications, where similar channel conditions exist. For this purpose, a digital PolSK modem was implemented on a programmable logic board. A proposal for constellation design as well as thoughts on synchronization of PolSK over satellite is presented. The modem was used to demonstrate a 16‐state Polarization Shift Keying link over a commercial satellite in K_u band. Measurements have been conducted in a back‐to‐back setup on intermediate frequency and on a K_u band transponder simulator to assess the impact of path‐length differences, carrier recovery and non‐linearity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Examination of the data rate obtainable with low‐gain non‐tracking antenna applied to user terminal used for mobile communications and broadcasting services provided by quasi‐zenithal satellites

Link budgets between the mobile user terminal and a feeder link station (2‐m‐diameter antenna) through the quasi‐zenithal satellite system (QZSS) (7‐m‐diameter antenna for Tx, 5‐m‐diameter antenna for Rx) under the power flux density (PFD) limit were calculated for the Ka‐ and Ku‐band. The PFD limit for non‐geostationary satellites is applied for frequency sharing between QZSS and geostationary satellites. The maximum data rate in the Ka‐band was 1.7 times higher than in the Ku‐band in the forward link, while the maximum data rate at Ku‐band is nine times higher than that in the Ka‐band in the return link when the transmit power derived from the regulations of the PFD is applied. And it is more than three times higher than that in the Ka‐band when transmit power is fixed to 2W. In the forward link, maximum data rates are 149 kbps in the Ka‐band and 86 kbps in the Ku‐band when the user terminal antenna is non‐tracking (gain at the satellite direction is 7.1 dBi) and the frequency bandwidth per beam is 30 MHz. Required bandwidth per channel for a certain data rate is large, e.g. in Ka‐band, 20.9 MHz for 64 kbps, 125 MHz for 384 kbps, and 326 MHz for 1 Mbps. In the return link, the maximum data rates are 44 kbps in the Ku‐band and 13.6 kbps in the Ka‐band when the user terminal antenna gain in the satellite direction is 7.1 dBi and transmit power is 2 W. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Link adaptation for Ka band low Earth orbit Earth Observation systems: A realistic performance assessment

In this paper, a proposal is sketched for realizing high data rate downlinks in next‐generation Ka band low Earth orbit (LEO) Earth Observation (EO) systems. The work aims at realistically assessing the throughput advantage stemming from link adaptation strategies—embraced by most wireless and satellite communication standards—compared with non‐adaptive transmission, which is the approach followed in conventional X band EO systems. The transmission strategies examined include constant, (static and dynamic) variable, and adaptive flavors of coding and modulation, each representing a different performance/system complexity trade‐off. Practicality is pursued to the extent possible by incorporating state‐of‐the‐art orbital, ground station, spacecraft, propagation, physical layer, and system implementation characteristics. The results manifest that under particular conditions, link adaptation offers throughput improvements of up to 100% against non‐adaptive transmission schemes in Ka band LEO EO systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new design approach for dual‐band patch antenna serving Ku/K band satellite communications

A printed planar antenna with simple and intelligent geometrical structure has been proposed for Ku/K band satellite communication systems. The radiating patch of the antenna is formed by cutting rectangular slots and extending the radiating element to some extent. The final design of the antenna with optimized parameters is fabricated on ceramic–polytetrafluoroethylene substrate materials of dielectric constant ε_r = 10.2. The antenna is excited through a microstrip feed line and has reduced ground plane that covers only the non‐radiating portion of the antenna. The reduced complexity of the antenna is easy to fabricate and has overall dimension of 40 × 35 × 1.905 mm³. The results from experimental analysis show that the proposed antenna can guarantee a wide bandwidth of 12.0 to 16.4 GHz at lower band, and the upper band covers the frequency in the range of 17.53 to 19.5 GHz. The antenna has achieved appreciable gain in the range of 3.14 to 4.68 dBi for lower band and 2.03 to 3.65 dBi for upper band. The proposed antenna has offered almost symmetrical and directional radiation pattern that is essentially suitable for serving Ku/K band satellite applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于G.704数字接口转换器的设计

卫星通信地面站的有线信号远端传输,无论同轴电缆还是光纤方式,通常使用E系列标准接口。基于G.704的数字接口转换器可实现基带同步串行数据信号与E1接口信号的互相转换。在简要介绍硬件设计和软件设计基础上,详细阐述了串行接口速率自适应、E1帧时隙选择、收发时钟的产生和先进先出存储器的设计思路,给出了性能测试结果。     

Rain Attenuation and Doppler Shift Compensation for Satellite Communications

In high‐speed multimedia satellite communication systems, it is essential to provide high‐quality, economical services by using efficient transmission schemes which can overcome channel impairments appearing in the satellite link. This paper introduces techniques to compensate for rain attenuation and the Doppler shift in the satellite communication link. An adaptive transmission technique with a control algorithm to adaptively allocate transmission schemes is used as a countermeasure to rain attenuation. We introduce a new rain attenuation modeling technique for estimating system performance and propose a novel Doppler shift compensation algorithm with reduced hardware complexity. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can provide greatly enhanced performance compared to conventional algorithms. Simulation software and hardware which incorporate the proposed techniques are also demonstrated.     

Estimation and cancellation of transponder distortions in satellite forward links using memory polynomials

In this paper, a practical non‐linear equalizer with iterative distortion cancellation in a satellite receiver is studied. Assuming no prior satellite channel knowledge, distortion estimation and cancellation are performed at the receiver by means of a memory polynomial model used for channel estimation. A data packet transmission scenario over a single‐carrier satellite transponder is simulated, using the not‐linearized amplifier and onboard filter characteristics similar to the direct‐to‐home broadcast DVB‐S2X reference scenario. Varying the memory depth and the non‐linear order of the memory polynomial model trained in the receiver, we compared the packet‐error rate performance of the practical non‐linear equalizer to the standard fractionally spaced linear adaptive equalizer, as well as to an implementation of the non‐linear equalizer with ideal channel knowledge at the receiver. The improved receiver demonstrates superior performance as compared with the standard linear equalizer with up to 5.48‐dB energy efficiency gain for 64‐amplitude and phase‐shift keying for a practical memory polynomial set‐up, and it approaches consistently the packet‐error rate performance of the implementation with ideal channel knowledge when increasing the memory depth and the non‐linear order. Furthermore, it enables the use of high‐order modulation up to 256‐amplitude and phase‐shift keying in the studied scenario, improving significantly the spectral efficiency of the air interface.     

Study on application of CMA to land mobile LEO satellite communication systems based on a deterministic channel model

This paper studies the application of the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) in land mobile low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. Two propagation phenomena prevail in narrow band land mobile LEO satellite channel, namely, adjacent channel interference (ACI) and frequency‐non‐selective fading. The performance of CMA for ACI cancellation and the behaviours of CMA in frequency‐non‐selective fading channels are evaluated using a digital beamforming (DBF) array antenna simulation scheme. All these evaluations are based on a simple but efficient channel model which provides a good and fast simulation method for land mobile LEO satellite channels. The restricted Jakes Doppler power spectral density (psd) function is incorporated into the model to ensure that it will be appropriate for the evaluation of a DBF antenna. Our results reveal that CMA can reject ACI and work well in frequency‐non‐selective fading channels. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BPSK and QPSK non‐linear satellite communication system performance in the presence of cochannel interference

Taking the uplink and downlink cochannel interference and noise into account, the analytical expressions are derived for determining the bit error probability in detecting a binary phase‐shift‐keying (BPSK) and a quaternary phase‐shift‐keying (QPSK) Gray coded signal, transmitted over a satellite system exhibiting amplitude modulation‐to‐amplitude modulation (AM/AM) conversion effects and amplitude modulation‐to‐phase modulation (AM/PM) conversion effects. On the basis on the derived theoretic formulae, using real‐life system parameters, numerical results are obtained and presented. We point out the explicit comparisons of satellite communication system performance obtained when a satellite transponder amplifier is modelled by a hard‐limiter and those obtained when both AM/AM and AM/PM non‐linearities of the satellite transponder amplifier are taken into consideration. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Turbo‐coded APSK modulations design for satellite broadband communications

This paper investigates the design of power and spectrally efficient coded modulations based on amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) modulation with application to satellite broadband communications. APSK represents an attractive modulation format for digital transmission over nonlinear satellite channels due to its power and spectral efficiency combined with its inherent robustness against nonlinear distortion. For these reasons APSK has been very recently introduced in the new standard for satellite Digital Video Broadcasting named DVB‐S2. Assuming an ideal rectangular transmission pulse, for which no nonlinear inter‐symbol interference is present and perfect pre‐compensation of the nonlinearity, we optimize the APSK constellation. In addition to the minimum distance criterion, we introduce a new optimization based on the mutual information; this new method generates an optimum constellation for each spectral efficiency. To achieve power efficiency jointly with low bit error rate (BER) floor we adopt a powerful binary serially concatenated turbo‐code coupled with optimal APSK modulations through bit‐interleaved coded modulation. We derive tight approximations on the maximum‐likelihood decoding error probability, and results are compared with computer simulations. The proposed coded modulation scheme is shown to provide a considerable performance advantage compared to current standards for satellite multimedia and broadcasting systems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diurnal variations in rain attenuation on Ku band earth–space paths

This paper presents analytical results of the diurnal variations in Ku band rain attenuation along earth–space paths at four locations in Southeast Asia and proposes a new model that can predict rain fade in a short period of every 2 h daily. Data from four radiometers and four rain gauges over a 3 year period were analysed to obtain the characteristics of diurnal variations in rain attenuation and rainfall as well as cumulative attenuation distributions in every 2 h interval. The results of this analysis are applied to develop an intensive prediction model using the knowledge of rainfall and attenuation statistics. This model is tested with the measured data and is found to be useful for the design of a more efficient Ku band satellite system especially between 99 per cent and 99·9 per cent link availability in an area of heavy rainfall. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ka and Q band propagation experiments in Toulouse using ASTRA 3B and ALPHASAT satellites

From January 2008 to March 2011, ONERA operated in Toulouse, France, a beacon receiver able to collect the 19.7‐GHz beacon signal of the HotBird 6 satellite. In March 2011, the radio frequency chain was modified to be able to receive the 20.2‐GHz ASTRA 3B beacon to benefit from a higher Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power of the satellite. Since June 2015, a second beacon receiver has been installed and is able to record the 39.4‐GHz beacon signal of the Alphasat satellite. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the first 2 years of measurements (June 2015 to May 2017) of the Q‐band Alphasat propagation experiment in Toulouse, as well as concurrent measurements collected at Ka‐band with ASTRA 3B. First of all, the propagation experiments are briefly described. Second, the results of the statistical analysis are highlighted. Finally, a deep analysis of the performances of the 2 frequency scaling prediction methods recommended in ITU‐R P.618‐13 is performed.     

On the protection of fixed service receivers from the interference generated by non‐GSO satellite systems operating in the 3.7‐4.2 GHz band

In this work, the current power‐flux density limits in Article 21 of the ITU‐R Radio Regulations for non‐geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) systems operating in the 3.7‐4.2 GHz band are analyzed. These limits aim the protection of fixed service receivers, operating in the same frequency band, from the interference produced by non‐GSO satellite systems. The analysis was motivated by Resolution 157 of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, that recognized the need for a revision of Article 21 with a view to enabling non‐GSO systems to operate in these fixed‐satellite service frequency bands while ensuring that existing primary services are protected. In the analysis, 5 different circular Walker Delta type satellite constellation structures, adequately chosen, are considered, and the results show that the current power‐flux density (pfd) limits may impose undue constraints to non‐GSO systems operating in this band. Therefore, a methodology to investigate a more adequate pfd limiting mask is presented and used to generate an alternative mask. An evaluation of the proposed pfd mask shows that it does not impose unnecessary constraints to the non‐GSO satellite systems. This, along with other facts, indicates that the proposed pfd limits are, indeed, much more adequate than the current ones.     

Ku频段卫星雨衰计算及自动观测系统设计

随着Ku频段卫星通信系统的使用,雨衰对卫星传输链路的影响已经成为卫星通信系统设计与使用过程中的重要影响因素。针对雨衰对Ku频段卫星通信系统可用性的影响,首先对雨衰的产生原因及其对卫星传输链路的影响进行了简要介绍,其次对国际电信联盟推荐的雨衰估算方法进行了分析,最后提出了Ku频段卫星链路传输特性自动观测系统的设计方案。     

Time diversity evaluation for attenuation mitigation method using attenuation data in Thailand and Japan

In order to support future satellite broadcasting and communication in the Ka band and above, the time diversity method provides a novel attenuation mitigation technique for maintaining satellite service availability at levels between 99.9 and 99.99%. In this paper, the time diversity method is analyzed using various time delays from between 1 min and 1 h in an effort to mitigate convective rain attenuation by using various beacon signal transmission delays. For comparison purposes, receiver beacon data from Japan and Thailand are presented to highlight tropical and non‐tropical zone regional differences, and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) R P.618‐12 standard is used for scaling up the Thaicom beacon frequencies from 12.57 and 12.59 GHz in the Ku band to 19.45 GHz, which is the Ka band frequency used by Japan's communication satellite (CS) beacon. We found that the time diversity method is very useful for mitigating the effects of rain attenuation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive coding and modulation for satellite broadband networks: From theory to practice

This paper presents the detailed design and the key system performance results of a comprehensive laboratory demonstrator for a broadband Ka‐band multi‐beam satellite system exploiting the new DVB‐S2 standard with adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). This complete demonstrator allows in‐depth verification and optimization of the ACM techniques applied to large satellite broadband networks, as well as complementing and confirming the more theoretical or simulation‐based findings published so far. It is demonstrated that few ACM configurations (in terms of modulation and coding) are able to efficiently cope with a typical Ka‐band multi‐beam satellite system with negligible capacity loss. It is also demonstrated that the exploitation of ACM thresholds with hysteresis represents the most reliable way to adapt the physical layer configuration to the spatial and time variability of the channel conditions while avoiding too many physical layer configuration changes. Simple ACM adaptation techniques, readily implementable over large‐scale networks, are shown to perform very well, fulfilling the target packet‐error rate requirements even in the presence of deep fading conditions. The impact of carrier phase noise and satellite nonlinearity has also been measured. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A semi‐definite programming approach to spatial decorrelation of independently polarized signals

A MIMO channel spatial decorrelation scheme based on semi‐definite programming is introduced. As a particular application example, the paper addresses the potential gain of using multiple antennas and MIMO–OFDM techniques in order to increase the bandwidth efficiency in satellite communication systems. In particular, we consider the increase in channel capacity that is possible by exploiting satellite and polarization diversity. A fundamental case is studied with three satellite branches, and where each transmit/receive antenna unit consists of six elemental electric and magnetic dipoles yielding six distinguishable parallel polarization channels per frequency. The numerical examples show that capacity increases linearly on a logarithmic signal‐to‐noise ratio scale where the constant of proportionality is the number of active parallel channels. In this respect, the simultaneous use of triple electric and triple magnetic dipoles has the potential to triple the capacity of an antenna system based on antenna units of single dipoles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The data station controller of the apollo system

This paper describes a high speed satellite communication system called APOLLO, designed to allow the transmission of documents across Europe. Emphasis is put on the hardware and software for which Logica is responsible, and the message flow through the system. A review is given of the current position and future plans of the project.     

Parallel data transmission for navigation satellite network with agility link

The topology of the navigation satellite network with agility link evolves with chain‐building slots periodically. The navigation data are transmitted in a “store, carry and forward” manner without requiring end‐to‐end paths. Thus, the navigation satellite network with agility link can be considered as a deterministic delay tolerant network (DTN). The data transmission of navigation satellite network is limited by chain‐building slot and bandwidth. To utilize network transmission link and communication bandwidth fully, this paper proposed an algorithm called parallel data transmission for the navigation satellite network with agility link. Based on the network characteristics, the algorithm is designed with polling pattern of link establishment and formulated as parallel data transmission problem based on deterministic scheduling DTN. Then, we design the method based on Dynamic Game from the view of data, while the Dynamic Programming method is proposed referring to Linear Programming–based method for optimization. Finally, the results were compared with three methods using the standard network routing metrics and showed that the proposed algorithm is better than the existing methods.     

Ka‐band HTS channel uplink SNIR probability model

I present a novel analytical study of the signal‐to‐noise‐plus‐interference ratio (SNIR) for Ka‐band high throughput satellite uplink channels. The Ka‐band high throughput satellite systems employ frequency and polarization (color) reuse among the spot beams to achieve throughput increase many times the throughput of the system without reuse. However, color reuse also produces substantial co‐color interference and adding to it, tropospheric precipitation attenuation rises sharply in Ka‐band. The co‐color interference and precipitation induced fading vary randomly; they degrade the system performances. To assess the impact, I develop the uplink channel SNIR probability model in this study. Compared with the known studies of the same topic, this study takes the theoretic approach and is applicable to the urban users in particular. The model is feasible to implement and can provide accurate assessment of the channel SNIR performances statistically in theory for a wide array of system operational scenarios. The SNIR probability model is applied to a model spot beam system of 101 user beams to obtain and compare sample channel performances, which can be used for making system design choices at the early stage of a satellite project. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.