Location-aware channel estimation for capacity gains on multibeam satellite links

Bandwidth is an expensive and scarce resource, thus its efficient exploitation is of paramount importance. Recent communication satellites feature sophisticated spatial access strategies through spot beams providing this way a total throughput in the range of 100 Gbit/s. Next generations of communication satellites, as postulated in the Satellite Communications Network of Experts (SatNEx) III, a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) for advanced research in satellite communications, require technological developments to achieve the Tbit/s region. Multibeam architectures formed by a central gateway, a multibeam satellite, and an aggressive frequency reuse strategy can meet such ambitious design goals. Interference problems are tackled by appropriate countermeasures such as (joint) precoding and beamforming on the forward link as well as multi-user detection on the return link; these methods require accurate and timely knowledge of the channel state, which in turn necessitates suitable algorithms for channel estimation. This paper addresses performance issues related to channel state estimation on the symbol-synchronous forward link and the frame-synchronous return link. It highlights for both directions the potential performance gain by assuming a priori knowledge of the user position, in this context referred to as location-aware channel estimation.     

深空通信中继下行链路特性研究及仿真分析

在深空通信中,由于信号传输距离遥远,功率受限的下行链路信号衰减巨大。为解决上述问题,分析地球大气层和外层自由空间的传输特性差异,提出以地球同步轨道卫星为中继站的下行链路的构想,根据每一段链路特性的不同选择载波频率。仿真结果表明,中继链路可以提高信号传输的信噪比、增大信道容量、降低误码率,提高了深空通信下行链路的可靠性。     

基于单脉冲跟踪体制的V频段宽带角跟踪 接收机设计与验证

随着高通量通信卫星系统对星间数据传输速率需求的不断提高,星间链路的工作频段将由Ka频段逐渐向频率资源更加丰富的毫米波频段发展。为了满足星间链路对毫米波频段自动角跟踪系统的发展应用需求,给出了一种基于单通道单脉冲角跟踪技术的V频段宽带角跟踪接收机的设计方案。采用LTCC和MCM技术实现了V频段接收组件的集成一体化设计;采用基于IQ正交混频的跟踪调制器结合数字相位补偿的单通道单脉冲角误差信号处理技术完成了宽带输入信号的角误差信号解调。在产品研制基础上,搭建了V频段角跟踪接收机测试系统,测试结果表明该V频段宽带角跟踪接收机可以完成对-95dBm~-55dBm输入信号电平范围内多种宽带数据传输信号的角误差信号解调,角误差信号抖动优于±250mV;表征输入信号电平强弱的AGC遥测电压随输入信号电平的增大而单调递增,各项指标满足V频段星间链路建链需求,为我国后续将要发展的毫米波星间链路系统奠定了扎实的技术基础。     

星-地混合通信网络前向链路安全传输方案研究

针对星-地混合通信网络前向链路在部分非理想信道状态信息(CSI)及非理想CSI下卫星窃听链路的安全问题，提出一种将地面基站信号作为协同干扰的安全传输方案。优化目标为地面基站节点传输速率最大，确保卫星合法节点接收信号质量，同时利用地面基站发送信号阻塞卫星潜在窃听节点对卫星信号的侦听。通过半定松弛原理将其转化为可解的凸优化问题，分别设计分层迭代、高斯随机化和二分搜索算法对问题进行优化求解。仿真校验结果表明，所提方案能够降低网络对CSI误差的敏感性，提高网络的可靠性和保密性。     

Satellite services for disaster management and security applications

Advantages of communications satellites are the inherent broadcast capability, high bandwidth, reliability and flexibility in network expansion. Small transportable terminals can be made operational very quickly. Recent developments in communications and computer technology allow to provide low-cost equipment, which is affordable even in developing countries. Communications satellites can also play an important role in case of emergencies or natural disasters. The combination of satellite communications and navigation can support new services for emergency teams.

At the Institute of Applied Systems Technology and the Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications highly transportable terminals have been developed, both for star and mesh network topologies. A fully meshed VSAT system is used for symmetrical links. For other applications, which do not require high return link capacity an asymmetrical system is an efficient solution. It uses low-cost DVB technology for the forward link and satellite phones with data capability on the return link. Novel multicast protocols allow to use these asymmetrical links in an efficient way. The paper describes the different systems and their applications in disaster management and security applications. Emphasis is put on transfer of remote sensing images and voice over IP (VoIP) as well as videoconference services.     

和差通道相位差对差模跟踪接收机的影响分析

在数据中继卫星系统中,中低轨航天器常采用差模跟踪技术,完成对数据中继卫星的捕获跟踪,建立高速数据中继传输链路。文章根据某任务跟踪接收机实际设计参数,用Matlab／Simulink软件对和差通道相位差对跟踪性能的影响进行了仿真分析。     

一种高速保密卫星信息传输系统

为进一步提高卫星数据传输速率、增强保密性，在综合多载波(MC)、跳频(FH)和直接序列码分多址(DS-CDMA)技术的基础上，提出了一种高速保密卫星通信FH/MC DS-CDMA系统的方案，并给出了多速率发射机和接收机的原理框图。所设计的系统采用自适应速率传输技术支持多速率数据传输，采用预测功率控制算法保证收发双方在高速移动状态下通信的可靠性和各子信道发射功率的动态分配，获得系统最大的传输效率。     

Tracking and data relay satellite system: NASA's new spacecraft data acquisition system

The growth in NASA's ground network complexity and cost triggered a search for an alternative. Through a lease service contract, Western Union will provide to NASA 10 years of space communications services with a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). A constellation of four operating satellites in geostationary orbit and a single ground terminal will provide complete tracking, telemetry and command service for all of NASA's Earth orbital satellites below an altitude of 12,000 km. The system is shared: two satellites will be dedicated to NASA service; a third will provide backup as a shared spare; the fourth satellite will be dedicated to Western Union's Advanced Westar commercial service. Western Union will operate the ground terminal and provide operational satellite control. NASA's Network Control Center will provide the focal point for scheduling user services and controlling the interface between TDRSS and the rest of the NASA communications network, project control centers and data processing facilities. TDRSS single access user spacecraft data systems should be designed for efficient time shared data relay support. Reimbursement policy and rate structure for non-NASA users are currently being developed.     

伽利略系统搜救服务端到端验证项目系统概念与性能分析

作为中欧合作伽利略卫星导航项目的重要组成部分,伽利略搜救服务前向链路端到端验证项目是中国区伽利略合作项目中唯一一个系统级项目。项目的主要目的是通过端到端验证项目检验伽利略搜救服务前向链路的服务性能,确认设计技术指标和对本地用户终端地面系统模拟器FLVE的性能预测。文章在此介绍了EEV系统组成和定位方法。在演示验证阶段,EEV项目组还设计了一个软件仿真平台用于在伽利略在轨测试卫星发射之前分析EEV系统性能。进行了由360个地球表面均匀分布的求救信标发射信号被全部伽利略卫星星座转发,时间跨度为15天的定位精度和覆盖范围分析。在FOA和TOA分别达到10μs和0.1Hz的情况下,FLVE定位精度为5km的覆盖范围达到半径5000km。FOA和TOA在恶劣情况下为15μs和0.2Hz的情况下,覆盖范围缩减为4000km,但还是达到了国际同类本地用户终端地面系统的先进水平。     

低轨巨型星座网络容量评估与分析

低轨卫星网络可以提供广覆盖、低时延、大容量的通信服务和随遇接入的网络服务，可有效弥补地面通信网络和高轨卫星网络的不足。近年来“星链”“一网”等星座项目推动了低轨巨型星座的飞速发展。卫星网络容量是网络性能评价的重要指标，传统方法计算复杂度高、耗时长，且计算开销随网络节点数迅速增加，在巨型星座网络评估中产生巨大计算开销。面向低轨巨型星座网络容量评估问题，提出了一种基于最大流的网络容量评估方法，与传统方法相比计算复杂度和计算耗时大大降低。以“星链”星座为例，分析了星座构型、星间链路拓扑连接方式、链路容量及用户需求量对巨型星座网络容量的影响。仿真分析结果对未来低轨巨型星座网络建设具有指导意义。     

面向微纳卫星应用的激光数传技术

针对遥感微纳卫星对地高速数传需求,开展面向微纳卫星的激光数传技术研究,突破微纳卫星激光通信终端星地快速捕获建链和协同高精度稳定跟踪、天基终端轻小型化、复合光电组件等关键技术。完成微纳卫星的天基激光终端和地面激光终端研制,并开展星地传输试验验证,实现 1 230 km、10/50/100 Mbps 的星地数据传输,验证了相关技术,为后续我国微纳卫星对地遥感应用提供了理想的星地数传手段。     

一种宽范围非合作目标中频角跟踪接收机的设计与实现

为实现对非合作星间目标信号的捕获跟踪，提出了一种基于单通道单脉冲跟踪技术的非合作目标中频角跟踪接收机软硬件设计方案。硬件平台设计方案结合了FPGA与DSP在算法处理上的优势，涵盖高速ADC设计、系统时钟设计等。针对非合作星间目标信号的特征，提出了不同调制体制、不同码速率的非合作宽带数据传输信号的检测识别、角误差信号提取与分离方案，涵盖数字预处理、数字信道化、信道判决、信号检测估计、角误差信号提取等处理环节。系统捕获跟踪试验结果表明该非合作目标角跟踪接收机可以完成对多种调制体制(BPSK、QPSK、SQPSK等载波相位调制)、不同码速率(1kbps～300Mbps)的非合作宽带数据传输信号的角误差信号提取与分离,载频估计精度优于100kHz，码速率估计精度优于100kbps。本系统可实现对非合作目标信号的有效跟踪，为开展非合作目标角跟踪接收机的工程化研究奠定了扎实基础。     

中低轨道卫星星座间的激光链路

阐述在中低轨道卫星星座全球通讯网络中应用的激光星间链路与在中继星间应用的激光星间链路相比，所具有的明显的优势。同时给出了应用于小卫星上的小光学用户终端的基本组成，并指出了当前在中低轨道卫星星座激光星间链路研究中所应当进行的主要研究方面。     

一种基于球面剖分的星座性能分析方法

在卫星星座优化设计与性能分析过程中,根据球面Delaunay三角网和Voronoi图的特性,首先研究了任意状态下星座空间几何构形划分方法,定义了卫星所属覆盖区域。然后,通过分析卫星星座和地面目标区域之间的几何关系,提出了星座对任意类型地面目标的最小观测仰角和平均观测仰角的确定性计算方法。在此基础上,分析了基于星座空间几何构形划分的卫星系统网络的时变特性,提出了星间通信链路快速建立方法。最后,以铱星系统为例,分析了该系统的对地覆盖能力和星间链路通信能力。实验结果表明该方法不仅可以准确、快速的评估卫星系统应用效能,同时能够为星座优化设计人员提供必要的决策支持。     

Multipath fading analysis of telemetry signals power fluctuations from Universitetsky microsatellite

The article deals with the results of the fading fluctuations analysis for telemetry signals in the 2 m and 70 cm bands from the first Moscow State University microsatellite better known as “Universitetsky”. Radio telemetry signals were received from the microsatellite for around 2 years, collecting and recording the power signal data of almost 7500 satellite overpasses. The received signals from about 2300 satellite overpasses had a very low signal to noise ratio (SNR) that caused high transmission losses. The rest of the signals had a SNR high enough to complete the transmission without losses. The main objective of this paper was to find the fading fluctuations caused both by diffusion and by the presence of Gaussian and non Gaussian noise in telemetry signal power data. The purpose was both to characterize the communication channel as well as to elaborate solutions both to improve the communication quality as well as to identify no homogeneous zones in the ionosphere environment. The signal power analysis was based in the observation of statistical characteristics from different power signal components, in particular the components influenced by diffusion and non Gaussian noise. The employed methodology follows the next steps: removing the power signal envelope; taking away the Gaussian noise; obtaining the statistical characteristics from non Gaussian noise, Gaussian noise and envelope; finally identifying the LOS and NLOS signal fading components. For this purpose, the wavelet technique was used to perform the signal decomposition. In particular, the discrete wavelet transform DWT was utilized to carry out the signal de-noising. Then, the results were statistically treated in order to obtain a diffusion index for Rician fading, which are associated with fading in atmosphere and ionosphere layers. In this way the communications channel among satellite and ground station was characterized and a BER parameter was obtained for every satellite overpass, which means an outstanding result when considering that just few papers describe such results for satellite systems. The obtained results are valid not only for satellite communications systems but also for wireless communications systems. These results are the basis for future communications system design, which in our case pursues to reduce the BER parameter in the satellite link. The referred system will employ adaptive error coding schemes as well as channel analyzer algorithms based in the theory exposed in this paper.     

一种绕飞编队卫星星间链路系统的总体设计方法

为了建立高精度相对定位编队卫星的星间链路,提出了一种基于GPS的绕飞编队卫星星间链路系统设计方法。针对我国首次以InSAR为背景的任务,以某绕飞编队星座星间链路系统总体方案为例,利用STK/MATLAB分析软件,对天线覆盖区与组阵进行了仿真分析,并根据分析结果做了系统优化,包括星间轨道构型、天线设计组阵图、天线安装位置、链路预算、星间通信措施设计分析以及电磁兼容性分析等。结果表明:基于GPS的编队卫星能够从系统角度优化设计建立星间链路,从而完成编队跟飞、绕飞期间的星间通信与测量任务,为卫星建立星座构型、相对定位测量提供了可靠、稳定的传输通道。该设计方法可为同类卫星或其他类型卫星星间链路系统设计提供参考。     

基于多天线中继的卫星-地面混合无线通信系统上行链路性能分析

研究了Rayleigh Rician非对称衰落信道下,以基站作为固定增益放大转发(AF)中继的卫星-地面混合无线通信系统上行链路性能。首先利用信道状态信息(CSI)得到中继配置多天线时系统的最大输出等效信噪比(SNR)。基于特殊函数推导出系统中断概率(OP)和概率密度函数(PDF)的解析表达式,并进一步得到各种调制方式下系统平均误符号率(ASER)的理论计算公式。最后通过无穷级数展开推导出高信噪比时平均误符号率的渐近闭合表达式,分析系统能获得的分集增益和阵列增益。计算机仿真表明所提出的性能分析方法的正确性,分析了天线数量和信道参数对卫星-地面混合无线通信系统性能的影响,为实际系统设计提供了参考和依据。     

基于最小系统的小卫星在轨软件重构系统设计

提出一种基于星载终端处理设备最小系统的小卫星在轨软件重构系统设计方案。依据星上信息流实现现状,设计重构系统的系统框架,提出星载终端处理设备的最小系统组成、通用功能集和需要满足的整星安全性功能需求。系统中,应用软件程序数据按照注入帧格式通过遥控通道注入到星上,可缓存在星务存储器中再分发给终端目的设备,通过最小系统软件对应用程序进行引导和加载管理,整个过程均有差错控制设计以保证其可靠性和安全性。软件重构试验和容错试验表明,利用该系统可实现星载微计算机软件和FPGA配置数据的可靠上注、可靠存储和可靠加载。     

Feasibility assessment of optical technologies for reliable high capacity feeder links

Space telecom scenarios like data relay satellite and broadband/broadcast service providers require reliable feeder links with high bandwidth/data rate for the communication between ground station and satellite. Free space optical communication (FSOC) is an attractive alternative to microwave links, improving performance by offering abundant bandwidth at small apertures of the optical terminals. At the same time Near-Earth communication by FSOC avoids interference with other services and is free of regulatory issues. The drawback however is the impairment by the laser propagation through the atmosphere at optical wavelengths. Also to be considered are questions of eye safety for ground personnel and aviation. In this paper we assess the user requirements for typical space telecom scenarios and compare these requirements with solutions using optical data links through the atmosphere. We suggest a site diversity scheme with a number of ground stations and a switching scheme using two optical terminals on-board the satellite. Considering the technology trade-offs between four different optical wavelengths we recommend the future use of 1.5 µm laser technology and calculate a link budget for an atmospheric condition of light haze on the optical path. By comparing link budgets we show an outlook to the future potential use of 10 µm laser technology.     

一站多目标无人机数据链信息融合技术

针对一站多目标无人机数据链系统易受干扰的问题,提出一种基于主备链系统抗干扰能力提升的遥控数据信息融合方法,在分析无人机遥控信息业务特点的基础上,对多条链路收到的用户数据进行拆分、融合等处理,设计了多目标无人机数据链的机载遥控信息融合策略。对采用该方法的数据链系统拉距测试验证,结果表明：该方法可在无人机高动态环境下的主备链路状态不稳定时,大幅度减小系统整体丢帧率,提升数据链系统信息传输可靠性。