A Satellite Link-Like Bit Error Model Based on the Received Signal Level for Link Simulator's Error Implementation

Abstract

Both changes in speed and protocols in data transfer via satellite links will be an attraction for various services and will extend the terrestrial network to remote areas without the need for costly and limited terrestrial network. However, high frequency satellite links are subject to climatic impairments, especially rainfall. In varying weather conditions, these links show wide variations of bit errors and could not allow the achievement of reliable communication. In some existing systems, these problems are solved by providing the system an extra power margin. At these frequencies and above, the link margin is about 10-20dB. If this supply power is provided for a long period of time, the considered system will turn to be inefficient. It seems therefore important to conduct some experiments in order to develop new protocol or improve existing one for an efficient and reliable data transfer. The non-permanent access to satellite links for experimental purposes can be supplied by indoor apparatus or computer software that generates test conditions approximating actual or operation conditions. Up to now, some satellite link simulators are being developed [1]. These simulators use an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) to generate the channel error which is not generally the case for satellite links under climatic effects. The intent of this paper is to present and evaluate an efficient bit error generation algorithm based on the statistical analysis of the received signal level in practice. This algorithm is one of the key points for developing a satellite link simulator suitable for the design of today and future communication links[2].