QAM and PSK modulation performance analysis over narrow band HF channel

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an analysis work for suitable signal modulation schemes on Narrowband 3 kHz HF channels. The most efficient power for each constellation size in QAM and PSK schemes are calculated in the 3 kHz channel. In addition to simulation proofs, the results were proven in real experiments. In a simulated work, the data were tested through two channel types; AWGN and Waterson channel. While in real scenario data are transmitted from Tehran to Semnan city. For both the simulated and real scenarios, two modulation schemes, QAM and PSK, were tested. It was proved that 32 QAM has the best performance over Narrow Band 3 kHz HF channels. The results are considered a good reference for later enhancement of non-contiguous techniques or 3 kHz single tone in order to enhance the bit rate for any HF link.

KEYWORDS:

• HF communication
• SDR
• QAM modulation
• PSK modulation
• HF narrow band
• AWGN channel
• Watterson channel

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ahmad Ismail

Ahmad Ismail received a B.S. degree in Computer and Communication engineering from Islamic Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2006 and the Master degree in Communication engineering from Arabic University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2010  He is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree at K. N. Toosi University of Technology. His research interests include Enhancement the performance of HF Link.

K. Mohamed-Pour

K. Mohamed-pour received his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering at Telecommunication College (PTT) in 1979.  He received the M.Sc.  Degree in electrical engineering and Communication systems from the University of Tarbiat Modaress in 1987, and pursued his study towards the Ph.D. level in the same field in the U.K. He received the Ph.D.  Degree from the University of Manchester, 1996.  He is now, a full professor in telecommunication, the Department of Electrical Engineering at K.  N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. His  main research interests are broadband wireless and mobile communication, Radar systems, MIMO and OFDM, and digital signal processing.