Ionospheric polarization diversity and cannel study for robust NVIS remote sensing platforms

Abstract

This project presents the complete study of a NVIS SIMO channel between the cities of Barcelona and Cambrils. This link benefits from the ionosphere’s properties and uses polarization diversity. This document presents the comparation of different combining techniques, modulations, transmitting powers and channels. The main objective of this work is to study and compare three different digital modulations, using them with a total of 5 different modulation orders and a complete power sweep. All the information and results are aimed in the improvement of the NVIS SIMO link implemented, increasing the robustness of the data transmission and the capacity if the system is upgraded to MIMO. A part of the complete study of the link, a channel study is exhibited. Both the ordinary wave’s channel and the extraordinary wave’s channel are tested and compared with different parameters and the channels’ yield. In reference to the results obtained, the desired results have been achieved. The best setups for the link have been obtained with noteworthy results in terms of performance. These link configurations together with the channel study open new doors and horizons for the HF ionospheric communications, which appear to be a great solution for remote sensing networks.