Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “block codes”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

The proposed coding standard at GSFC

As part of the continuing effort to introduce standardization of spacecraft and ground equipment in satellite systems, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and other NASA facilities have supported the development of a set of standards for the use of error control coding in telemetry subsystems. These standards are intended to ensure compatibility between spacecraft and ground encoding equipment, while allowing sufficient flexibility to meet all anticipated mission requirements. The standards which have been developed to date cover the application of block codes in error detection and error correction modes, as well as short and long constraint length convolutional codes decoded via the Viterbi and sequential decoding algorithms, respectively. Included are detailed specifications of the codes, and their implementation. Current effort is directed toward the development of standards covering channels with burst noise characteristics, channels with feedback, and code concatenation.

Morakis, J. C.↗

Use of CCSDS and OSI Protocols on the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

Although ACTS (Advanced Communications Technology Satellite) provides an almost error-free channel during much of the day and under most conditions, there are times when it is not suitable for reliably error-free data communications when operating in the uncoded mode. Because coded operation is not always available to every earth station, measures must be taken in the end system to maintain adequate throughput when transferring data under adverse conditions. The most effective approach that we tested to improve performance was the addition of an 'outer' Reed-Solomon code through use of CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) GOS 2 (a forward error correcting code). This addition can benefit all users of an ACTS channel including those applications that do not require totally reliable transport, but it is somewhat expensive because additional hardware is needed. Although we could not characterize the link noise statistically (it appeared to resemble uncorrelated white noise, the type that block codes are least effective in correcting), we did find that CCSDS GOS 2 gave an essentially error-free link at BER's (bit error rate) as high as 6x10(exp -4). For users that demand reliable transport, an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Queuing) protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or TP4 (Transport Protocol, Class 4) will probably be used. In this category, it comes as no surprise that the best choice of the protocol suites tested over ACTS was TP4 using CCSDS GOS 2. TP4 behaves very well over an error-free link which GOS 2 provides up to a point. Without forward error correction, however, TP4 service begins to degrade in the 10(exp -7)-10(exp -6) range and by 4x10(exp -6), it barely gives any throughput at all. If Congestion Avoidance is used in TP4, the degradation is even more pronounced. Fortunately, as demonstrated here, this effect can be more than compensated for by choosing the Selective Acknowledgment option. In fact, this option can enable TP4 to deliver some throughput at error rates as high as 10(exp -5).

Chirieleison, Don↗

On codes with multi-level error-correction capabilities

In conventional coding for error control, all the information symbols of a message are regarded equally significant, and hence codes are devised to provide equal protection for each information symbol against channel errors. However, in some occasions, some information symbols in a message are more significant than the other symbols. As a result, it is desired to devise codes with multilevel error-correcting capabilities. Another situation where codes with multi-level error-correcting capabilities are desired is in broadcast communication systems. An m-user broadcast channel has one input and m outputs. The single input and each output form a component channel. The component channels may have different noise levels, and hence the messages transmitted over the component channels require different levels of protection against errors. Block codes with multi-level error-correcting capabilities are also known as unequal error protection (UEP) codes. Structural properties of these codes are derived. Based on these structural properties, two classes of UEP codes are constructed.

Lin, Shu↗

Tail Biting Trellis Representation of Codes: Decoding and Construction

This paper presents two new iterative algorithms for decoding linear codes based on their tail biting trellises, one is unidirectional and the other is bidirectional. Both algorithms are computationally efficient and achieves virtually optimum error performance with a small number of decoding iterations. They outperform all the previous suboptimal decoding algorithms. The bidirectional algorithm also reduces decoding delay. Also presented in the paper is a method for constructing tail biting trellises for linear block codes.

Shao. Rose Y.↗

Spin glasses and error-correcting codes

In this article, we study a model for error-correcting codes that comes from spin glass theory and leads to both new codes and a new decoding technique. Using the theory of spin glasses, it has been proven that a simple construction yields a family of binary codes whose performance asymptotically approaches the Shannon bound for the Gaussian channel. The limit is approached as the number of information bits per codeword approaches infinity while the rate of the code approaches zero. Thus, the codes rapidly become impractical. We present simulation results that show the performance of a few manageable examples of these codes. In the correspondence that exists between spin glasses and error-correcting codes, the concept of a thermal average leads to a method of decoding that differs from the standard method of finding the most likely information sequence for a given received codeword. Whereas the standard method corresponds to calculating the thermal average at temperature zero, calculating the thermal average at a certain optimum temperature results instead in the sequence of most likely information bits. Since linear block codes and convolutional codes can be viewed as examples of spin glasses, this new decoding method can be used to decode these codes in a way that minimizes the bit error rate instead of the codeword error rate. We present simulation results that show a small improvement in bit error rate by using the thermal average technique.

Belongie, M. L.↗

A robust low-rate coding scheme for packet video

Due to the rapidly evolving field of image processing and networking, video information promises to be an important part of telecommunication systems. Although up to now video transmission has been transported mainly over circuit-switched networks, it is likely that packet-switched networks will dominate the communication world in the near future. Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) techniques in broadband-ISDN can provide a flexible, independent and high performance environment for video communication. For this paper, the network simulator was used only as a channel in this simulation. Mixture blocking coding with progressive transmission (MBCPT) has been investigated for use over packet networks and has been found to provide high compression rate with good visual performance, robustness to packet loss, tractable integration with network mechanics and simplicity in parallel implementation.

Chen, Y. C.↗

A bandwidth efficient coding scheme for the Hubble Space Telescope

As a demonstration of the performance capabilities of trellis codes using multidimensional signal sets, a Viterbi decoder was designed. The choice of code was based on two factors. The first factor was its application as a possible replacement for the coding scheme currently used on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HST at present uses the rate 1/3 nu = 6 (with 2 (exp nu) = 64 states) convolutional code with Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation. With the modulator restricted to a 3 Msym/s, this implies a data rate of only 1 Mbit/s, since the bandwidth efficiency K = 1/3 bit/sym. This is a very bandwidth inefficient scheme, although the system has the advantage of simplicity and large coding gain. The basic requirement from NASA was for a scheme that has as large a K as possible. Since a satellite channel was being used, 8PSK modulation was selected. This allows a K of between 2 and 3 bit/sym. The next influencing factor was INTELSAT's intention of transmitting the SONET 155.52 Mbit/s standard data rate over the 72 MHz transponders on its satellites. This requires a bandwidth efficiency of around 2.5 bit/sym. A Reed-Solomon block code is used as an outer code to give very low bit error rates (BER). A 16 state rate 5/6, 2.5 bit/sym, 4D-8PSK trellis code was selected. This code has reasonable complexity and has a coding gain of 4.8 dB compared to uncoded 8PSK (2). This trellis code also has the advantage that it is 45 deg rotationally invariant. This means that the decoder needs only to synchronize to one of the two naturally mapped 8PSK signals in the signal set.

Pietrobon, Steven S.↗

The Utilization Profiles of the CCSDS Unified Space Link Protocol (USLP)

The purpose of this paper is to identify the utilization profiles for interfacing the Data Protocol Sublayer using the Unified Space Link Protocols (USLP) (reference 1) with the space link coding procedures as specified in the CCSDS Coding & Synchronization Blue Books (references 2 through 5), used in both telecommand and telemetry applications. This paper describes how the USLP Protocol utilizes the coding and synchronization sublayer to support: a. Direct to Earth (DTE) telemetry links for engineering and science data b. Direct to Earth (DTE) telemetry links for very high rate science data c. Direct from Earth (DFE) command, sequencing and flight software loads d. Space to Space Links (Proximity) utilized by orbiters for data exchange to/from surface bound assets. The CCSDS has divided the functions of the Data Link Layer into two sublayers: the Data Link Protocol Sublayer (DLP-SL) and the Coding and Synchronization Sublayer (CS-SL). The Data Link Protocol Sublayer (DLP-SL) interfaces to the users, accepting the data that is to be transported, on the sending side of the link, and delivering that data on the receiving end. The Transfer Frame is the data unit that is transferred across the Data Link Protocol Sublayer and the Coding and Synchronization Sublayer boundary. The Coding and Synchronization Sublayer (CS-SL) provides the encoding, randomization, and frame synchronization functions that prepares the USLP Transfer Frame for transport across the space link. The CS-SL is divided into 2 processes: 1) The Frame Interface Processes (FIP) performs the interface functions required to prepare the data for delivery to the Coding/Decoding Process (CDP). This process includes prepending a Frame Start Marker to the provided frame, when management has designated that the frame is not to be aligned to the codeblock or when there is no block code used. 2) The Coding/Decoding Process (CDP) performs the forward error correction processes that are used to optimize the performance of the link and minimize the error rate. The CDP creates the symbol stream that is delivered to the Physical Layer. The transfer of the USLP transfer frames across different types of space links is the focus of this paper. The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) that is passed in both directions between the Data Link Protocol Sublayer (DLP-SL) and Coding and Synchronization Sublayer (CS-SL) is the transfer frame. The USLP frame structure provides flexibility that can be constrained by the functions utilized within the CS-SL that prepare the transfer frame for transit. For example, the USLP transfer frame contains a length field that enables the frame to be of variable length but CS-SL under certain conditions may constrain the frame to be fixed in length. This paper describes 5 operational modes available for use by the Data Link Layer to provide data exchange across the USLP space link. These modes are different because different operational requirements apply to vastly different types of space links and thus the communications implementation requirements differ. The environmental issues include the power or energy available, the distance between the end points of the link, the complexity of the equipment available at those end points, the atmospheric conditions and radiometric frequency selection. The CS-SL utilizes different forward error correcting codes supported by specific operational modes to configure the data for transit. This paper describes all of the operational modes in a series of data models which decompose the functionality between the Data Link Protocol Sublayer and the Coding and Synchronization sublayer. The operational modes described are: 1. Uncoded Mode: has been used for short links that contain significant available power to provide an acceptable frame error rate. The frames in this mode can be variable in length and typically use an error detection algorithm (i.e., CRC) to determine if there are errors in the received frame. 2. Convolutional Only Mode: is currently the prime forward error correction coding used for the proximity links. The frames in this mode can be variable in length and typically use an error detection algorithm (i.e., CRC) to determine if there are errors in the received frame. 3. Variable Length Frame Aligned to Variable Length Codeblock (TC): is used for Direct from Earth links were power levels are high and the simple, least complex code i.e., the BCH code is used. This mode has been in use since the early 1970s. The BCH code is a short code and the decoder is easy to implement. 4. Fixed Length Frame Aligned to Fixed Length Codeblock (AOS/TM): was introduced when the concatenated Convolutional and Reed-Solomon Code was formulated to provide significant reduction in link data error rate and the ability to determine if there was an error in the decoded codeblock. The frame is aligned to the codeblock so that there is a one to one relationship of frame errors to codeblock errors without additional error detection coding being added. This mode requires the protocol frames to be the exact size of the message portion of the codeblock. 5. Frames Unaligned to Fixed Length Codeblocks (Currently used for very high rates and space to space links): This mode is currently used for missions that have a very high data rate that can be controlled adaptively as the environment changes and as the next generation operating mode for the proximity link. This mode from a coded data stream point of view is exactly like that described in 4. above, except that the frame need not be aligned to the codeblock. There is no requirement on frame length when using this mode. Thus when using USLP it can be used to support links that require short or long frames. There is also no mandatory requirement that frames cannot be separated by idle data reducing the tight data rate connection requirements between the data link protocol sublayer and the coding & synchronization sublayer. In conclusion, how these operational modes can be put to use in mission operational scenarios is described for Direct from Earth links (DFE), Direct to Earth links (DTE), and Proximity links.

Greenberg, E.↗

Communications systems research

Communication systems research in block coding and synchronization, cyclic Hadamard matrixes, range-grated autocorrelation function, and information processing

SYNCHRONIZATION CODE↗

Communications systems research

Block coding and synchronization, propagation, communications systems, information processing, and data compression of space telemetry

SYNCHRONIZATION↗

A packet telemetry system employing ARQ error control

A proposed packet telemetry system employing automatic retransmission request (ARQ) mode of error control is characterized. Limitations of the present multiplexing/demultiplexing approach are considered, and the use of the proposed system in near-earth satellites in the 1980s is suggested. Onboard processing and an adaptive multiplexing technique are described, as is an elastic buffer, required because the instantaneous data rate will be different from the telemetry transmission rate. The telemetry packets would be encoded into a powerful error-detection block code. A mechanism involving temporary buffering in a long shift register will permit retransmission request from the ground station for packets received in error. The ARQ mode of operation should ensure essentially error-free transmission at lower signal-to-noise ratios and at considerably higher transmission rates than are usually used.

Greene, E. P.↗

PPM demodulation for Reed-Solomon decoding for the optical space channel

The use of Reed-Solomon (RS) block codes over the pulse position modulated (PPM) frames to obtain the largest degree of error correction is considered. Since RS codes can correct both symbol errors and symbol erasures, a question arises as to the best way to demodulate the PPM laser fields in order to generate the input symbols for the RS decoder. The method selected for demodulating (converting the received laser field to digital symbols) defines the erasure and transmitted symbols of the laser link, and therefore determines the work error probabilities of the system. Several demodulating schemes are considered, and the effect of each on RS decoding performance computed. This computation was carried out for various optical receiver models. It is shown that simple threshold decisioning of pulse slots produces performance that degrades as the background noise increases. This is caused by the generation of too many erasures for the RS decoder to handle. A decision scheme, delta-max demodulation which offers improvement over threshold decisioning by redefining the generation of an erasure is proposed.

Divsalar, D.↗

Mission science value-cost savings from the Advanced Imaging Communication System (AICS)

An Advanced Imaging Communication System (AICS) was proposed in the mid-1970s as an alternative to the Voyager data/communication system architecture. The AICS achieved virtually error free communication with little loss in the downlink data rate by concatenating a powerful Reed-Solomon block code with the Voyager convolutionally coded, Viterbi decoded downlink channel. The clean channel allowed AICS sophisticated adaptive data compression techniques. Both Voyager and the Galileo mission have implemented AICS components, and the concatenated channel itself is heading for international standardization. An analysis that assigns a dollar value/cost savings to AICS mission performance gains is presented. A conservative value or savings of $3 million for Voyager, $4.5 million for Galileo, and as much as $7 to 9.5 million per mission for future projects such as the proposed Mariner Mar 2 series is shown.

Rice, R. F.↗

Digital modulation for an aeronautical mobile satellite system

A review is provided of radio technology, particularly signal modulation, in a satellite-based aeronautical communication system. The propagation environment is examined, and a generic signal-detection strategy is established. The following are then covered: signal bandwidth and carrier modulation; power performance; error detection and block coding; channel spacing; the modulator and demodulator; and coarse frequency error detection.

Davarian, F.↗

A novel scheme to aid coherent detection of GMSK signals in fast Rayleigh fading channels

A novel scheme to insert carrier pilot to Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) signal using Binary Block Code (BBC) and a highpass filter in baseband is proposed. This allows the signal to be coherently demodulated even in a fast Rayleigh fading environment. As an illustrative example, the scheme is applied to a 16 kb/s GMSK signal, and its performance over a fast Rayleigh fading channel is investigated using computer simulation. This modem's 'irreducible error rate' is found to be Pe = 5.5 x 10(exp -5) which is more than that of differential detection. The modem's performance in Rician fading channel is currently under investigation.

Leung, Patrick S. K.↗

An Iterative Soft-Decision Decoding Algorithm

This paper presents a new minimum-weight trellis-based soft-decision iterative decoding algorithm for binary linear block codes. Simulation results for the RM(64,22), EBCH(64,24), RM(64,42) and EBCH(64,45) codes show that the proposed decoding algorithm achieves practically (or near) optimal error performance with significant reduction in decoding computational complexity. The average number of search iterations is also small even for low signal-to-noise ratio.

Lin, Shu↗