This dissertation is concerned with the development and performance analysis of non-linear receivers for detection of weak narrow-band signals in multivariate non-Gaussian clutter. The novelty of the detection scheme lies in the utilization of both the complex measurement and the multivariate non-Gaussian character of the clutter. Two clutter models are developed based on the available partial information. Model (I) is based on the a priori knowledge of the first-order density, correlation structure of the amplitude, and the circular symmetric assumption of the in-phase and quadrature phase components. Model (II) is based on the first-order in-phase and quadrature phase densities and the complex correlation structure. These models completely specify a multivariate complex nonGaussian density and can be used for clutter generation. A class of optimum non-linear receiver structures based on weak signal level, canonically known as Locally Optimum Detectors (LOD) are derived under clutter Model (I). This can be considered to be a generalization of the LOD for the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) clutter. The detectors utilize complex measurements and their structures depend on whether the underlying hypothesis testing model is real or complex. The performance of each of the proposed detector structures, based on the concept of Efficacy, is formulated. Then, the performance of the detectors are evaluated with respect to a reference detector using Asymptotic Relative Efficiency (ARE) criterion. Numerical evaluation of the performance expression is carried out for constant signal in Weibull distribution for various density parameters. Simulation results indicate that the performance of the developed detectors, based on ARE, is superior to (i.i.d) LOD detector and matched filter. Finally, the sensitivity of the detector performance to parameter variation of the structural non-linearities is investigated. / Ph. D.

Two algorithms for estimating the frequency and power of the carriers of 20 GHz and 30 GHz satellite signals are compared. Both algorithms operate on a prefiltered sequence generated by lowpass filtering followed by signal decimation for the purpose of sampling rate reduction. The lowpass filtering is accomplished via the overlap-add method of FIR filtering using the FFT. Carrier frequency prediction and tracking is accomplished with a Kalman predictor, for which the frequency drift process is modeled via polynomial extrapolation. The Kalman predictor operates on frequency measurements provided by one of two frequency estimators. One of the frequency estimation algorithms, a refinement of the DFT-automatic frequency control technique, uses the Chirp-Transform algorithm in its aim for the maximum likelihood estimate of frequency and power. The averaged periodogram is computed from the prefiltered sequence and is used to measure the frequency of the drifting frequency signal as well as its power. One of the disadvantages of this algorithm is the bias present in the estimation of power. The bias can be removed only with knowledge of the noise power. The algorithm has the advantage of being almost exclusively a convolution and therefore is accomplished with minimal computation via the FFT. An alternative parametric approach to frequency estimation is also investigated. In this approach the weighted least-squares modified Yule-Walker method of autoregressive model estimation is used on the prefiltered sequence to yield frequency estimates. Power estimation is accomplished next via modal decomposition of the estimated correlation sequence. The advantage of this approach is that for slowly varying frequency drift paths (24 hour cycle) the frequency estimates exhibit MSE approximately 3 dB less than the Chirp-Transform algorithm over a wide range of SNR. There are two disadvantages to the parametric algorithm. First the parametric algorithm estimates power with MSE approximately 2 dB greater than the nonparametric algorithm. Secondly the algorithm is more complicated than the nonparametric Chirp-Transform algorithm because it requires matrix inversions and the determination of the roots of a polynomial. For the digital beacon receiver problem investigated here both algorithms perform similarly in two important respects. First both algorithms can lock onto a carrier signal whose frequency is drifting at the rate of 5 Hertz per second in a noise environment corresponding to a 15 dB/Hz SNR. Secondly both algorithms can make unbiased frequency estimates of the carrier signal allowing the receiver to track the carrier at 7 dB/Hz SNR. Both algorithms attain the Cramer-Rao bound for estimation of constant frequency sinusoids. For a simulated satellite signal with maximum frequency drift of 5 Hertz per second the Kalman frequency predictor is able to reduce the problem to nearly that of the constant frequency case so that the resulting performance corresponds to the Cramer-Rao bound for estimation of constant frequency sinusoids. Where computational considerations are critical the nonparametric algorithm is preferred. In fact, unless the superior accuracy of the frequency prediction afforded by the parametric algorithm is paramount, the nonparametric algorithm is to be chosen. / Master of Science

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1993 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / System performance can be ascertained via a number of parameters; one of which is Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR). SNR is the ratio of the value of the signal to the value of the noise. It is generally expressed in decibels and usually a function of the system bandwidth. Another measure of performance is the Noise-Power ratio (NPR). NPR is the ratio of the noise level within a specific measurement channel when noise is applied to all channels, to the level that is measured within the specific channel with noise applied to all of the channels but not the specific channel.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / At present, there is no means of instrument direct measurement to frequency deviation when it is up 500kHz. But the frequency deviation of high bit rate telemetry transmitter is 700kHz or more. In this paper, an indirect measurement method using spectrum analyzer and counter is put forward. It effectively solves the measurement problem of frequency deviation and frequency response of high bit rate telemetry transmitters. Measuring theory, summary of experiences and difficulties in measuring work, have been deeply studied with the viewpoint of how to avoid the limitation of different methods of measurement. Focused on the establishment of an automatic measuring system, expert system, skilled data and software of the system are studied in detail. The data for comparison is also supplied. Finally, the analysis to the measuring error and general uncertainty is given.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The U.S. Army Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC) uses telemetry as a vital part of its data acquisition and analysis for electromagnetic environmental effects developmental testing of U.S. Army weapon systems. Testing in an electromagnetic environment poses several unique challenges. These challenges have resulted in the development of highly customized telemetry and data acquisition systems. This paper discusses the design and integration of past and current telemetry needs to incorporate real-time or near real-time simulations or scene generations into the testing process.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / Incidental Frequency Modulation (IFM) products in telemetry transmitters can be a significant cause of bit errors in received Pulse Code Modulation/Frequency Modulation (PCM/FM) telemetry data. Range Commanders Council (RCC) and other documents give little or no guidance as to acceptable levels of IFM for telemetry applications. The expected higher vibration levels of future high velocity missile systems means that IFM levels are likely to be higher than previously encountered. This paper presents measured data on Bit Error Rate (BER) versus IFM levels at given Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR’s) for PCM/FM telemetry systems. The information presented can be utilized with BER versus SNR plots in the Telemetry Applications Handbook, RCC Document 119, to determine the additional link margin required to minimize IFM effects on telemetry data quality.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The preliminary development of a FM radio receiver module is discussed. An existing narrowband system operating between 48MHz and 50MHz will be replaced. Digital components were investigated, compared and used with analogue techniques to build a more flexible two-way radio receiver system. A direct digital synthesizer was considered as a replacement for the current synthesized phased lock loop local oscillator and much attention was given to the local oscillator and mixer design, characteristics and measurement procedures. A detailed study of receiver systems was undertaken to determine the specifications needed for every receiver component to achieve satisfactory receiver performance in the end. Receiver characteristics as well as receiver measurement procedures are defined. A software tool was developed to aid the design process, establishing computationally whether the receiver specifications are met prior to the final design. The complete design process, from fundamental specifications through to the developed final receiver module is discussed. A modular design approach was used to guarantee easy manufacturing, substitution and testing. This approach comprises the break-down of the receiver into well defined components that are each matched to 50O. The separate components of the system were designed, measured and characterized to make it possible to replace only a single component instead of the entire system when a part becomes redundant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die grondslag vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n FM radio ontvanger module word in hierdie dokument gelê. ‘n Bestaande noubandstelsel wat tussen 48MHz and 50MHz ontvang word vervang deur hierdie nuwe stelsel wat aangewend sal kan word in die bestaande tweerigtingradio se omhulsel. Digitale komponente is ondersoek, vergelyk en gebruik saam met analoogtegnieke om ‘n meer buigsame radiostelsel te bewerkstellig. ‘n Direkte digitale sintitiseerder is oorweeg as ‘n vervanging vir die huidige fasesluitlus ossillator met heelwat klem op die oscillator-en mengerontwerp, komponent spesifikasies en metingsprosedures. ‘n Diepgaande studie van ontvangerstelsels is gedoen om te bepaal wat die tipiese spesifikasies vir elke ontvangerstadium is, sodat die finale ontvanger se spesifikasies behaal kan word. Ontvanger eienskappe en meetprosedures word volledig gedefinieer. ‘n Sagtewareprogram is ontwikkel om die ontvanger-ontwerpsproses te vergemaklik deur vooraf te kan vasstel watter ontvangerspesifikasies bereik sal kan word al dan nie. Die volledige ontwerpsproses, vanaf fundamentele spesifikasies tot by die finale ontvanger word omskryf. ‘n Modulere-ontwerp prosedure is gebruik ter versekering van die maklike vervaardiging, vervanging en toetsing van elke komponent. Die radio is tydens ontwerp opgebreek in boublokkies wat elkeen aangepas word na 50O. Elke aparte boublokkie van die ontvangerstelsel is afsonderlik ontwerp, gemeet en volledig gespesifiseer om dit moontlik te maak om slegs een komponent te vervang in plaas van die hele stelsel wanneer ‘n enkele komponent nie meer beskikbaar is nie.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The continued advancement and improvement of software-defined radio technology has been a key factor in furthering research into the implementation of most signal processing algorithms at baseband. Traditionally, these algorithms have been carried out at RF, but with the coming of SDR, there has been a need to shift the processing down to baseband frequencies which are more compatible with the fast developing software radio technology. The study looks at selected demodulation algorithms and investigates the possibility and benefits of carrying them out at QBB. The study ventures into the area of beamforming, multipath compensation, Doppler shift compensation and matched filter detection. The analysis is carried out using Matlab simulations at RF and QBB. The results obtained are compared, not only to evaluate the possibility but also the benefits in terms of the processing load. The results of the study showed that indeed, carrying out the selected demodulation algorithms at QBB was not only possible, but also resulted in an improvement in the processing speed brought about by the reduction in the processing load.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries / Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering.