Avraham Freedman

Sequence CLEAN: a modified deconvolution technique for microwave images of contiguous targets

High resolution range profiles usually suffer from range sidelobe artifacts which cause reduction in the dynamic range. The sidelobes can be greatly reduced by a deconvolution technique called Coherent CLEAN. The Coherent CLEAN algorithm is based on the assumption that the scene consists of isolated and independent targets. However, many real-life targets are contiguous. Even if we approximate the contiguous targets by very closely spaced point sources, they can hardly be assumed to radiate independently. The sidelobes and the mainlobes of these closely spaced point sources can interact constructively and destructively causing spurious peaks and peak mislocations. These problems are studied and a variation in the existing Coherent CLEAN algorithm, called Sequence CLEAN, is proposed. Sequence CLEAN is found to work well with actual targets.

Periodic ambiguity function of CW signals with perfect periodic autocorrelation

A periodic ambiguity function (PAF) is discussed which describes the response of a correlation receiver to a CW signal modulated by a periodic waveform, when the reference signal in the receiver is constructed from an integral number N, of periods T, of the transmitted signal. The PAF is a generalization of the periodic autocorrelation function, to the case of non-zero Doppler shift. It is shown that the PAF of N periods is obtained by multiplying the PAF of a single period by the universal function sin(N pi nu T)/N sin( pi nu T), where nu is the Doppler shift, to phase-modulated signals which exhibit perfect periodic autocorrelation when there is no Doppler shift. The PAF of these signals exhibits universal cuts along the delay and Doppler axes. These cuts are functions only of t, N and the number M, the modulation bits in one period. >

RADIO PROPAGATION IN RURAL RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH VEGETATION

In this paper we describe radio wave propagation within mixed residential area consisting of vegetation and houses. We assume no specific knowledge of the houses and vegetation location, but only of their statistical parameters. A three-dimensional (3D) stochastic approach, which is based on the statistical description of the terrain features, houses and vegetation, and deterministic description of signal decay is presented. The scattering and diffraction from trees and buildings, as well as the diffused reflection from the rough structures of the obstructions are modeled using the statistical description of an array of non-transparent phase screens randomly distributed on the rough terrain. The model, which accounts for single scattering and diffraction phenomena and a similar model, which accounts for multiple scattering effects without effects of diffraction are compared with measurements carried out in typical rural mixed residential areas with vegetation. The accuracy of the theoretical prediction is analyzed accounting possible variations of the terrain features. The approach presented here is applicable in many cases, where specific topographical information is not available.

ML iterative soft-decision-directed (ML-ISDD): a carrier synchronization system for short packet turbo coded communication

Modern communication systems are required to provide services based on high data rates burst-mode packet-data transmission, capable of operating at very low SNR conditions. Turbo codes enable the operation at low SNR, close to the Shannon limit. However, carrier frequency and phase synchronization, needed for optimal coherent performance of the receiver, still remains a problem in low SNR and short bursts conditions. This paper proposes a new carrier synchronization method, the Maximum-Likelihood Iterative-Soft-Decision-Directed (ML-ISDD), which uses the turbo-decoder soft decisions to improve the carrier synchronization performance at low SNR values. The ML-ISDD method operates iteratively and jointly with the turbo decoder, enhancing both the turbo-decoder and the synchronization performance. The ML-ISDD method has been shown by simulation to significantly increase the allowed initial frequency and phase uncertainty region, thus allowing the use of very short training sequences for initial carrier synchronization.

Thinned stepped frequency waveforms to furnish existing radars with imaging capability

Introducing imaging capability to an existing radar, even if it is a high RF bandwidth radar, may be difficult, due to limitations on the IF bandwidth, limitations on the pulse repetition frequency and electromagnetic compatibility problems. This paper discusses the use of thinned stepped frequency waveforms, which enable the radar to switch between RF frequencies to provide a synthesized wide RF bandwidth, while the thinning may alleviate some of the constraints imposed on the radar. Random and periodic thinning are discussed in the first part of this paper. However, thinning may cause degradation in image quality, thus an additional technique-Sequence CLEAN deconvolution-is suggested. Sequence CLEAN is an iterative deconvolution algorithm, adopted from the field of radioastronomy, which is capable of resolving close targets in a dense environment, where the system response is heavily affected by high sidelobes.

Properties of the periodic ambiguity function

The periodic ambiguity function (PAF) is a tool for analyzing the performance of a radar system utilizing a periodically modulated CW signal and a receiver matched to one or several periods thereof. Alternative definitions for the PAF are given and the properties of the PAF are elaborated The properties shown include periodicity, symmetry with respect to the origin and the volume limitation property. >

Perfect periodic correlation sequences

Abstract Sequences with the property of perfect periodic autocorrelation are used in various fields such as communication and radar systems. Various methods were introduced to construct such sequences. Most of these methods concentrated on binary or N -phase sequences. In this paper two methods to construct general phase sequences are introduced. The methods are based upon the properties of the Fourier transform of perfect periodic autocorrelation sequences. The sensitivity of these codes to errors is also elaborated.

ML iterative tentative-decision-directed (ML-ITDD): a carrier synchronization system for short packet turbo coded communication

The invention of turbo codes has manifested the ability of communications systems to operate at very low signal to noise ratio, very close to the theoretical Shannon capacity limit. However, synchronization of turbo-coded signals operating in low SNR conditions may be difficult, especially for short packet transmission. This paper proposes the maximum-likelihood iterative-tentative decision-directed (ML-ITTD) circuit for using the tentative decisions produced by the turbo decoder to improve the carrier synchronization in turbo coded short packets communication systems. The ML-ITDD method operates iteratively and jointly with the turbo decoder, enhancing both the turbo-decoder and the synchronization performance. The ML-ITDD method has been shown by simulation to significantly increase the allowed initial frequency and phase uncertainty region, thus allowing the use of very short training sequences for initial carrier synchronization.

Prediction based RSS fingerprinting for positioning and optimization in cellular networks

The location of cellular terminals is of a major interest to both business and government. Some applications do not have access to measurements dedicated for location. Fingerprinting based on received signals strength (RSS), also known as RF pattern matching methods, may provide an appropriate solution. In general drive tests and measurement campaigns are needed to obtain the RF fingerprint. This paper discusses the problem of replacing the measured RF fingerprints with predicted ones, with the advantages of the ability to obtain the required fingerprint for each point in the area of interest with negligible cost. The accuracy of this method is discussed and applications for which this accuracy is sufficient are presented as well.

Unified approach of GOS optimization for fixed wireless access

We present analytical and simulation models that obtain the minimum number of required communication channels for subscriber units and their allocations so as to increase the level of the grade of service (GOS) per user of fixed wireless access communication systems (FWA or WACS). On the basis of the proposed analytical and simulation models, a new methodology of using user radio ports (RPs) is introduced for evaluating the optimal number of RP systems, their allocation policy, and their spatial distribution for different configurations. This methodology enables us to increase the efficiency of FWA services on the basis of GOS maximization.