Wolfhard J. Vogel

Bio: Wolfhard J. Vogel is an academic researcher from University of Texas at Austin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Communications satellite & Smart antenna. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 46 publications receiving 719 citations.

Propagation effects for land mobile satellite systems: Overview of experimental and modeling results

Abstract: Models developed and experiments performed to characterize the propagation environment associated with land mobile communication using satellites are discussed. Experiments were carried out with transmitters on stratospheric balloons, remotely piloted aircraft, helicopters, and geostationary satellites. This text is comprised of compiled experimental results for the expressed use of communications engineers, designers of planned Land Mobile Satellite Systems (LMSS), and modelers of propagation effects. The results presented here are mostly derived from systematic studies of propagation effects for LMSS geometries in the United States associated with rural and suburban regions. Where applicable, the authors also draw liberally from the results of other related investigations in Canada, Europe, and Australia. Frequencies near 1500 MHz are emphasized to coincide with frequency bands allocated for LMSS by the International Telecommunication Union, although earlier experimental work at 870 MHz is also included.

Experimental evaluation of smart antenna system performance for wireless communications

Abstract: In wireless communications, smart antenna systems (or antenna arrays) can be used to suppress multipath fading with antenna diversity and to increase the system capacity by supporting multiple co-channel users in reception and transmission. This paper presents experimental results of diversity gain, interference cancellation, and mitigation of multipath fading obtained by using a smart antenna system in typical wireless scenarios. Also given are experimental results for the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of two moving users, comparing different beamforming algorithms in typical wireless scenarios. All of the experiments were performed using the 900-MHz smart antenna testbed at The University of Texas at Austin.

Tree attenuation at 869 MHz derived from remotely piloted aircraft measurements

Abstract: Tree attenuation results are described based on data acquired from an experiment employing UHF transmissions at 869 MHz between a remotely piloted aircraft and a stationary vehicle. The objective of the experiment was directed toward providing input to the land mobile satellite community where the extent of shadowing from roadside trees represents important information to be used for system design. Single trees were found to attenuate between 10 to 20 dB with an average median attenuation of 12 dB.

Using GPS to measure ground complex permittivity

Abstract: In personal satellite communications, ground specular reflection may be received along with the direct signal. To characterise this effect at L-band, fade measurements were taken over grass and asphalt surfaces using a GPS receiver. By matching experimental results to a simulation, ground electrical characteristics were derived, showing a novel method for their measurement.

Experimental studies of spatial signature variation at 900 MHz for smart antenna systems

Abstract: A spatial signature is the response vector of a base-station antenna array to a mobile unit at a certain location. Mobile subscribers at different locations exhibit different spatial signatures. The exploitation of spatial diversity (or the difference of spatial signatures) is the basic idea behind the so-called space-division multiple-access (SDMA) scheme, which can be used to significantly increase the channel capacity and quality of a wireless communication system. Although SDMA schemes have been studied by a number of researchers, most of these studies are based on theoretical analyses and computer simulations with ideal assumptions. Not much experimental study, has been reported on spatial signature variation due to nonideal perturbations in a real wireless communication environment. The purpose of this paper is to present, for the first time, extensive experimental results of spatial signature variation using a smart antenna testbed. The results presented include the spatial signature variation with time, frequency, small displacement, multipath angle spread and beamforming performance. The experimental results show the rich spatial diversity and potential benefits of using an antenna array for wireless communication applications.

Ofdma with adaptive subcarrier-cluster configuration and selective loading

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating subcarriers in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises allocating at least one diversity cluster of subcarriers to a first subscriber and allocating at least one coherence cluster to a second subscriber.

Tutorial on Remote Sensing Using GNSS Bistatic Radar of Opportunity

Abstract: -In traditional GNSS applications, signals arriving at a receiver's antenna from nearby reflecting surfaces (multipath) interfere with the signals received directly from the satellites which can often result in a reduction of positioning accuracy. About two decades ago researchers produced an idea to use reflected GNSS signals for remote-sensing applications. In this new concept a GNSS transmitter together with a receiver capable of processing GNSS scattered signals of opportunity becomes bistatic radar. By properly processing the scattered signal, this system can be configured either as an altimeter, or a scatterometer allowing us to estimate such characteristics of land or ocean surface as height, roughness, or dielectric properties of the underlying media. From there, using various methods the geophysical parameters can be estimated such as mesoscale ocean topography, ocean surface winds, soil moisture, vegetation, snowpack, and sea ice. Depending on the platform of the GNSS receiver (stationary, airborne, or spaceborne), the capabilities of this technique and specific methods for processing of the reflected signals may vary. In this tutorial, we describe this new remotesensing technique, discuss some of the interesting results that have been already obtained, and give an overview of current and planned spacecraft missions.

Multiuser MIMO-OFDM for Next-Generation Wireless Systems

Abstract: This overview portrays the evolution of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) research. The amelioration of powerful multicarrier OFDM arrangements with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems has numerous benefits, which are detailed in this treatise. We continue by highlighting the limitations of conventional detection and channel estimation techniques designed for multiuser MIMO OFDM systems in the so-called rank-deficient scenarios, where the number of users supported or the number of transmit antennas employed exceeds the number of receiver antennas. This is often encountered in practice, unless we limit the number of users granted access in the base station's or radio port's coverage area. Following a historical perspective on the associated design problems and their state-of-the-art solutions, the second half of this treatise details a range of classic multiuser detectors (MUDs) designed for MIMO-OFDM systems and characterizes their achievable performance. A further section aims for identifying novel cutting-edge genetic algorithm (GA)-aided detector solutions, which have found numerous applications in wireless communications in recent years. In an effort to stimulate the cross pollination of ideas across the machine learning, optimization, signal processing, and wireless communications research communities, we will review the broadly applicable principles of various GA-assisted optimization techniques, which were recently proposed also for employment in multiuser MIMO OFDM. In order to stimulate new research, we demonstrate that the family of GA-aided MUDs is capable of achieving a near-optimum performance at the cost of a significantly lower computational complexity than that imposed by their optimum maximum-likelihood (ML) MUD aided counterparts. The paper is concluded by outlining a range of future research options that may find their way into next-generation wireless systems.

A statistical model for land mobile satellite channels and its application to nongeostationary orbit systems

Abstract: The paper introduces a statistical channel model which is a combination of Rice and lognormal statistics, and is suitable in principle to all types of environment (rural, suburban, urban) simply by tuning the model parameters. The model validity is confirmed by comparisons with measurement data collected in the literature. Empirical formulas are derived for the model parameters to fit measured data over a wide range of elevation angles. In particular, the model is applied to nongeostationary satellite channels, such as low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit channels, in which for a given user located in a generic site the elevation angle changes continuously. Finally, examples of average bit error probability evaluations in the channel are provided. >

MIMO over Satellite: A Review

Abstract: The present article carries out a review of MIMO-based techniques that have been recently proposed for satellite communications. Due to the plethora of MIMO interpretations in terrestrial systems and the particularities of satellite communications, this review is built on two pillars, namely fixed satellite and mobile satellite. Special attention is given to the characteristics of the satellite channel, which will ultimately determine the viability of MIMO over satellite. Finally, some future research directions are identified.