The Incorporation of Near Real Time Ionospheric Propagation Information for Automated Link Establishment Based Communication Systems

Autor: Batts, William, Buckley, Richard, Furman, William, Nieto, John
Přispěvatelé: Groves, Keith
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8106341
Popis: This paper focuses on the use of the HF frequency band, 3-30 MHz, as a wireless communications medium where the predominant propagation mode is provided by ionospheric refraction. The HF medium provides a reliable mode of long distance, beyond line of sight, communications used by many nations and entities worldwide. The paper begins with an overview of existing Automated Link Establishment (ALE) systems which provide a mechanism to find the best propagating frequency between any radios on earth and to set up the radios for communication. The paper will provide a brief history of ALE throughout the years up to and including the current U.S. MIL-STD-188-141D. Next the use of propagation prediction software is discussed with a concentration on VOACAP. This package provides a prediction of the best propagating frequency between points on earth based many factors including geographic positions, time of day, solar activity, and noise conditions. VOACAP is generally used to select possible / probable frequencies to use before radios are deployed in the field but does not have a mechanism to address real time variations in propagation. Sources of Near Real Time (NRT) propagation information are then discussed . This information includes WWV broadcasted geomagnetic and solar indices information, inputs from space weather organizations, and amateur radio propagation probing waveforms such as WSPR. A comparison of various waveforms for real time channel evaluation is then presented. Examining waveforms used by the US MIL-STD ALE, WSPR and previous experiments. A Machine Leaning (ML) based consolidation model combining the above information is then presented including comparison of the model to both VOACAP predictions and real world measured propagation measurements. Finally an enhanced ALE based system is presented based on the current MIL-STD (4G ALE) combined with all the previously discussed Near Real Time information and Machine learning based models. The best way to validate this approach experimentally is discussed and the potential way forward is outlined.
{"references":["Batts, W., Nieto, J., & Furman, W. (2019). A Comparison of Automated Link Establishment Techniques for Wideband HF. Proceedings of the Nordic Shortwave Conference, Nordic HF19","MIL-STD-188-110A (1990). \"Military Standard - Interoperability and Performance Standards for Data Modems\", Draft US Dept of Defense","TANAG 4538 (2000). \"Technical Specifications To Ensure Interoperability Of An Automatic Radio Control System For HF Communication Links\", Edition 1, North Atlantic Treaty Organization","Furman, W., Nieto, J., & Batts, W. (2016). On Air Operation of the Harris Adaptive Wideband Cognitive ALE. Proceedings of the Nordic Shortwave Conference, Nordic HF16","MIL-STD-188-141D (2017) \"Interoperability and Performance Standards for Medium and High Frequency Radio Systems\", US Dept of Defense","Buckley, Richard J. and Furman, William N. (2021). Application of Machine Learning Techniques to HF Propagation Prediction, MILCOM 2021 - 2021 IEEE Military Communications Conference, ISBN 978-1-6654-3972-5.","Chernigovskaya, M. A. et al. (2020). Longitudinal variations of geomagnetic and ionospheric parameters in the Northern Hemisphere during magnetic storms according to multi-instrument observations. Advances in Space Research","Furman, William N., Buckley, Richard J. and Seeber, Ryan (2022). Application of Machine Learning Techniques to HF Propagation Prediction and Deployment Considerations in Tactical HF Radios, Proceedings of the Nordic Shortwave Conference"]}
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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