SETI in the light of cosmic convergent evolution

Theodosius Dobzhansky, one of the founding fathers of the modern evolutionary synthesis, once famously stated that “nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution”. Here it will be argued that nothing in astrobiology makes sense except in the light of “Cosmic Convergent Evolution” (CCE). This view of life contends that natural selection is a universal force of nature that leads to the emergence of similarly adapted life forms in analogous planetary biospheres. Although SETI historically preceded the rise of astrobiology that we have witnessed in the recent decade, one of its main tenets from the beginning was the convergence of life on a cosmic scale toward intelligent behavior and subsequent communication via technological means. The question of cultural convergence in terms of symbolic exchange, language and scientific capabilities between advanced interstellar civilizations has been the subject of ongoing debate. However, at the core of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence lies in essence a biological problem since even post-biological extraterrestrial intelligences must have had an origin based on self-replicating biopolymers. Thus, SETI assumes a propensity of the Universe towards biogenesis in accordance with CCE, a new evolutionary concept which posits the multiple emergence of life across the Cosmos. Consequently, we have to wonder about the biophilic properties the Universe apparently exhibits, as well as to try to find an encompassing theory that is able to explain this “fine-tuning” in naturalistic terms. The aims of this paper are as follows: 1) to emphasize the importance of convergent evolution in astrobiology and ongoing SETI research; 2) to introduce novel and biology-centered cosmological ideas such as the “Selfish Biocosm Hypothesis” and the “Evo Devo Universe” as valuable arguments in theorizing about the origin and nature of extraterrestrial intelligence and 3) to synthesize these findings within an emerging post-biological paradigm on which future SETI efforts may be founded.     

Provocative radio transients and base rate bias: A Bayesian argument for conservatism

Most searches for alien radio transmissions have focused on finding omni-directional or purposefully earth-directed beams of enduring duration. However, most of the interesting signals so far detected have been transient and non-repeatable in nature. These signals could very well be the first data points in an ever-growing data base of such signals used to construct a probabilistic argument for the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. This paper looks at the effect base rate bias could have on deciding which signals to include in such an archive based upon the likely assumption that our ability to discern natural from artificial signals will be less than perfect.     

A novel SETI strategy targeting the solar focal regions of the most nearby stars

Many hypotheses have been raised to explain the famous Fermi paradox. One of them is that self-replicating probes could have explored the whole Galaxy, including our Solar System, and that they are still to be detected. In this scenario, it is proposed here that probes from neighboring stellar systems could use the stars they orbit as gravitational lenses to communicate efficiently with each other. Under this hypothesis, a novel SETI approach would be to monitor the solar focal regions of the most nearby stars to search for communication devices. The envisioned devices are probably not detectable by imagery or stellar occultation, but an intensive multi-spectral monitoring campaign could possibly detect some communication leakages. Another and more direct option would be to message the focal regions of nearby stars in an attempt to initiate a reaction.     

并行编码选择扩频通信方式

提出了并行编码选择扩频通信方式，给出了并行编码选择扩频通信方式的系统模型，分析其通信性能。讨论了系统的误差概率和系统的信息数据传输能力，给出了数学模型和计算公式。结果表明，该系统与其它几种扩频通信方式相比较具有最高的信息传输效率。但其可靠性稍差，这说明通信的有效性的提高是以降低可靠性为代价的。本方式适合于传输信道具有较高信噪比的情况下使用。     

SETI implications of gravitational assist via chaotic trajectories of binary objects

Extrapolating from the technique of gravitational assist via chaotic trajectories of binary objects, this paper considers how such techniques might be used in other systems. We examine which types of systems are the best candidates for harvesting gravitational energy for payload ejection. We also consider what signatures might be present in either the asteroid orbits or radiation of the central body if extraterrestrial intelligences were to use such techniques about these candidate systems.The simulation studies show that current technology cannot approach the sensitivity needed to detect either of these signals. Instead, we provide these results as guidance to studies in coming decades on patterns that may indicate the use of an asteroid ejection system.     

Astrobiology can help space science,education and the economy

Astrobiology is a subject dedicated to understanding the origin, evolution and distribution of life. Astrobiology is a multidisciplinary discipline within which useful information comes from a variety of environments and from a myriad of techniques. The challenges of the Global Exploration Roadmap contain intrinsic astrobiology questions and opportunities. The potential astrobiology returns include scientific, educational and economic benefits.     

位移序列多进制扩频通信方式

提出用 m序列的位移序列做扩频序列的多进制扩频通信方式 ,并给出了它的系统模型 ,分析了它的通信性能。理论分析证明 ,用 m序列的位移序列构成的多进制扩频通信方式具有很高的通信有效性和通信可靠性     

A strategic “viewfinder” for SETI research

One of the most important reasons why unsuccessful results have been obtained so far by the SETI Project is due to the fact that no sure targets to aim at have been available up-to the present state of research. All-sky surveys, even if very accurate and complete, might result to be time-consuming. SETI needs at least one effective “viewfinder” in order that a true targeted research is carried out with a possible success. The best foundation to get this can be identified with the search for the evidence of extraterrestrial astro-engineering activity in form of the Dyson spheres predicted by theory. The existence of such stellar objects can be ascertained by finding the evidence of two main signatures in stars of solar spectral type: infrared excess and anomalous light curves due to transiting artificial objects. These are probably the most powerful viewfinders in order to allow SETI techniques for intelligent signal search to be aimed at more appropriate targets. This paper is not intended to be a research paper but rather a review paper whose goal is not to present calculations and/or operational research but rather to be a research proposal for a more focused research in SETI just using Dyson Spheres as crucial markers.     

Who are the SETI sceptics?

Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is now more than half a century old and has provoked enough discussion on technical, philosophical, and popular level, much of it critical. Historically, the criticism of SETI has been strong enough to heavily influence the course of research, so that there is a significant interest in discerning the nuances and fine points of critical argumentation. In this paper, I outline the two major forms of SETI scepticism, “fundamentalist” and “instrumentalist,” which are often conflated in the published literature, both technical and popular. Precise delineation between these two types of scepticism is important for future research as a part of a wider taxonomic project, the build-up of SETI theory, as well as for smooth joining of SETI with the ongoing astrobiological revolution. Resolving the confusion in this respect is likely to lead to an improved atmosphere and heightened public image of future SETI searches and related activities.     

通信同步的干扰(Ⅱ)

干扰敌通信同步信号是通信干扰的重要手段。在讨论通信同步的前一篇文章的基础上,分析了破坏通信同步的可行性及方法,并指出破坏敌通信同步具有事半功倍的效果。     

纪念信息论创立五十周年

１９４８年，山农（Ｃ．Ｅ．Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ）首创信息论，至今信息论在促进现代科学技术发展上已作出重大贡献；介绍了信息概念的发展，评述了山农的信息定义、信道容量定理、山农采样定理和保密通信理论。最后，介绍横断科学的兴起、概念及其意义。     

小卫星激光通信终端技术现状与发展趋势

在激光通信技术快速发展及商业卫星组网应用迫切需求的背景下,小卫星激光通信技术逐步发展成为商业卫星通信领域的研究热点之一。首先,对近些年来国内外小卫星激光通信技术的发展现状及性能指标特点进行了详细论述,归纳出轻小型化、低功耗、模块化、低成本四个发展趋势。在此基础上,分析了小卫星激光通信终端的四项关键技术,以期为我国小卫星激光通信终端技术的发展提供一定的参考和借鉴。     

天基信息传输分发体系中新频段及新体制梳理

文章介绍了激光通信、太赫兹通信和量子通信等新的通信频段及通信体制在天基信息传输分发体系中的应用前景。激光通信链路可用于构建未来空间骨干网,附加在激光链路上的量子光通信链路可以极大提升链路保密性能,太赫兹通信链路可能在未来卫星星座及伴随飞行集群内部高速数据交换场合提供大带宽及灵活组网的通信能力。各种新形式的链路技术结合起来,可以为天基信息传输分发系统提供支撑。     

移动通信发展历程及其在战术通信中的应用

详细介绍了移动通信技术的发展历程,从最初的1G通信技术到现在广泛应用的5G技术以及正处于研究阶段的6G技术,针对每一代移动通信技术的网络架构、频带分布以及传输速率进行了分析,总结了其优缺点,通过对每一代通信技术的对比,分析了移动通信技术的未来发展趋势,阐述了移动通信技术在战术通信中的应用以及未来发展的影响;旨在帮助学术研究人员和工程技术人员了解移动通信技术的发展历程及其在战术通信的应用,对从事移动通信研究和战术通信研究的人员均具有一定的指导意义。