Panos Kostarakis

Envelope Correlation Parameter Measurements in a MIMO Antenna Array Configuration

In a 2 × 2 MIMO antenna array system envelope correlation coefficient “ρ” shows the influence of different propagation paths of the RF signals that reach the antenna elements. The approximated value of this coefficient is based on a simple closed-form equation and also varies from 0 to 1. Quite perfect performance for MIMO applications is achieved when this parameter approximates to zero. In this paper, we evaluate an antenna diversity MIMO system by measuring the envelope correlation coefficient. The corresponding results in our antenna array configurations show that the measured “ρ” has very small values and approximates to zero. This observation indicates quite perfect behavior and performance of our MIMO antenna array system.

Geometry Aspects and Experimental Results of a Printed Dipole Antenna

Detail experimental measurements of a 2.4 GHz printed dipole antenna for wireless communication systems is presented and discussed. A group of printed dipoles with integrated balun have been designed and constructed on a dielectric substrate. This paper is based on modifications of the known printed dipole architecture. The corresponding printed dipole antennas have differences on their forms that are provided by two essential geometry parameters. The first parameter l is related to the bend on microstrip line that feeds the dipole and the second w corresponds to the form of the dipole’s gap. The impact of these parameters on reflection coefficient and radiation pattern of antenna has been investigated. The corresponding measured results indicate that the return loss and radiation pattern of a printed dipole antenna are independent of the w parameter. Instead, variations in the value of the l parameter in the dipole’s structure affect the form of the corresponding return loss. These observations are very important and provide interesting considerations on affecting design and construction of antenna elements at frequency range of 2.4 GHz.

In depth analysis of noise effects in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems, utilising a large number of subcarriers

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multicarrier data transmission, where a single stream of information is divided over a large number of subcarriers. The primary purpose of this work was to find out the relationships connecting BER performance in noisy environments and the number of transmitted subcarriers. In order to simulate this kind of environment, various noise types where taken into consideration such as complex Rayleigh fading, complex rician noise, AWGN and phase noise.

Enhanced PAPR in OFDM without Deteriorating BER Performance

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is vastly used in wireless networks. Its superiority relies on the fact that information can be split in large amount of frequencies. Each frequency is called information subcarrier. OFDM exhibits excellent annotation in channel fades and interferers as only a few subcarriers can be affected and consequently a small part of the original data stream can be lost. Orthogonality between frequencies ensures better spectrum management and obviates the danger of intersymbol interference. However, an essential problem exists. OFDM systems have high peak to average power ratio. This implies large fluctuations in signal power, ending up in increasing complexity of ADCs and DACs. Also, power amplifiers must work in a larger linear dynamic region. In this paper we present two new techniques for reducing Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR), that can be added in any OFDM system and we compare them with other existing schemes.

Design and Measurements of Ultra-Wideband Antenna

This paper describes the design, realization and experimental measurements of an antenna element to operate at ultra-wideband (UWB) spectrum. The type of this antenna is a circular disk monopole (CDM), with two notches opposite to each other at two sides of the disk. The feed of the antenna is a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The effect of the presence of the notches is studied through simulations and tested experimentally.

Performance of Turbo Coded OFDM Under the Presence of Various Noise Types

A telecommunication system uses carriers in order to transmit information through a cable or wirelessly. If each time only one carrier is transmitted, then the system’s signal will not be immune to frequency selective fading. If frequency selective fading includes the working frequency of the system, then the wireless link will not be established. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the primary solution for coping with inter-signal interference and frequency-selective fading. Many carriers can be produced by splitting a fast information stream to slower data series. Different orthogonal frequencies carry slower data series. System’s performance can be further enhanced with the utilization of turbo codes. Turbo codes make the system more immune to noise effects with excellent BER results. This paper presents the thorough analysis of a turbo coded OFDM scheme using a PCCC technique in the presence of a channel which includes AWGN, phase noise, Rayleigh fading, Rician fading and Doppler shift.

Performance of UWB‐Impulse Radio Receiver Based on Matched Filter Implementation with Imperfect Channel Estimation

UWB communications have attracted considerable interest, targeting applications in high‐speed data transfer wireless communication systems. This paper studies the effects of matched filter receiver in the performance of such a system. Such effects are evaluated in terms of the Bit Error Rate (BER) for a Binary Pulse Position Modulation (BPPM) scheme, considering multipath propagation channel and the presence of noise. The case of imperfect channel estimation is taken into account. Dependence of BER on parameters such as signal to noise ratio, number of estimation pulses and correletor taps is also presented.

Design and Implementation of Ultra‐Wideband Impulse Radio Transmitter

This paper describes the design and implementation of an UWB Impulse Radio transmitter. This UWB transmitter produces very short pulses with possibility of time‐shifting to be used in cases of Pulse Position Modulation (PPM). The transmitter, which is based on step recovery diode (SRD), can operate at 50 Mbps with high repetition rate. Experimental results show that, ultra short pulses with duration of about 1nsec and spectrum exceeding 2 GHz at −10 dB, are produced and transmitted.

A prototype data acquisition and processing system for Schumann resonance measurements

Abstract In this paper, a cost-effective prototype data acquisition system specifically designed for Schumann resonance measurements and an adequate signal processing method are described in detail. The implemented system captures the magnetic component of the Schumann resonance signal, using a magnetic antenna, at much higher sampling rates than the Nyquist rate for efficient signal improvement. In order to obtain the characteristics of the individual resonances of the SR spectrum a new and efficient software was developed. The processing techniques used in this software are analyzed thoroughly in the following. Evaluation of systems performance and operation is realized using preliminary measurements taken in the region of Northwest Greece.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS OF A MULTIPLE-OUTPUT TRANSMITTER FOR MIMO APPLICATIONS

The design of a multiple-output transmitter for digital beamforming (DBF), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and channel sounder applications, based on Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) system is presented and investigated in terms of antenna array performance. DDS generates independently modulated signals on specific carrier frequencies and is employed as the first stage in the proposed implementation, furnishing output signal of configurable amplitude, phase and frequency. The resulting phase progression, amplitude and beamforming accuracy of a beam steering array are further investigated, showing that the proposed architecture can provide a steering beam with high accuracy. Experimental results of system performance indicate that this architecture can drive efficiently and accurately an antenna array with independent modulated RF signals, with programmable frequency, initial phase, and magnitude.