Simulated Performance of a Spread Spectrum Communication System in Atmospheric Noise

Abstract

Atmospheric noise is the principal source of interference to digital communications operating in the HF band in the tropics. The noise is impulsive and hence suitable methods will have to be devised to minimise its effects. Spread spectrum communication using nonlinear noise suppression techniques is found to give improved performance. This paper evaluates the performance of a spread spectrum system with simulated noise samples following the Hall model [1]. The receiver uses nonlinear excision techniques like hole puncher and soft clipper. These nonlinearities set at the optimum threshold levels are found to give good performance results. The results obtained compare well with the theoretically established results [5].

Indexing terms:

• Atmospheric noise
• Impulse noise
• Spread spectrum systems