Analytical simulation of nonlinear satellite links

Abstract

It is noted that performance predictions for nonlinear digital satellite channels are usually obtained by either purely analytical methods or Monte Carlo simulations. When used with other than very simple channel models, however, they become extremely costly. It is shown that, through analytical modeling of the effect of the nonlinearity on the uplink waveform, it is possible to obtain approximate performance predictions with a minimum of computer time. It is also demonstrated that the results agree quite well with Monte Carlo simulations and that significant trade-offs can be performed with this tool. An analytical simulation based on Blachman's (1968) definition of signal x signal, signal x noise, and noise x noise terms is shown to provide the required flexibility for modeling the effect of signal distortions on the link performance and to produce good results over a wide range of nonlinearities and channel conditions.