Coherent underwater communication using passive time reversal over multipath channels

Passive time reversal exploits underwater acoustic channels’ spatial and temporal diversity. It can refocus multipath propagated signal at the receiver and can be realized simply by the passive phase conjugation (PPC) method. By the temporal focusing, time delay spread caused by multipath propagation is mitigated for spectral efficient coherent communications. However, the PPC method is unable to eliminate multipath and is limited by channel variations. An adaptive equalizer is therefore needed to compensate residual multipath after refocusing and to track channel temporal variations. Spatial diversity is obtained by using a vertical receiving array. In this paper we used 4-hydrophone array and demonstrated that the adaptive decision feedback equalization in conjunction with PPC significantly decreased the bit error rate.     

浅海环境中的时间反转多用户水声通信

在无线电通信中,多用户通信可以采用时分多址(TDMA)、频分多址(FDMA)或者码分多址(CDMA)技术来实现,在水声通信中,信道的多途传播特性带来的空间差异,提供了另外的多用户通信手段。时间反转(或相位共轭)技术,能够实现对空间中指定点的聚焦接收和多途压缩,它为空间位置不同的多个用户提供了相互独立的通信通道,能够很好地克服用户之间的同道干扰(CI)。本文在垂直阵接收的基础上,利用时间反转技术来实现不同用户在同一信道中的同时通信,结合带锁相环的自适应判决反馈均衡技术来消除残余的多途码间干扰,并进行了初步的海上试验,实现了两个不同深度上用户的同时通信。     

相干水声通信幅相加权空间分集均衡算法

水声信道的典型特点为多普勒频移严重、可利用带宽窄以及强多径干扰。空间分集均衡技术是相干水声通信中克服信道多径干扰,消除码间干扰的一种有效手段。为了极大化地输出阵增益,结合无源相位共轭方法和多通道均衡算法,本文设计了组合信噪干比的全新信道评价方法。利用改进的Sigmoid函数对各通道接收信号的幅度进行加权处理;采用二阶锁相环跟踪各通道信号的相位变化,实现各通道信号同相累加。将各通道低通滤波后的信号能量归一化,采用了分数阶-判决反馈分集均衡器,加入各通道权重系数实现了水声通信系统的分集均衡接收。仿真结果和湖试数据处理结果均表明,优化的幅相加权分集均衡接收算法能抵消多径和噪声的干扰,性能优于等增益合并接收算法。湖试数据处理结果误码率降低了1.8%。      

Single- and multi-channel underwater acoustic communication channel capacity: a computational study

Acoustic communication channel capacity determines the maximum data rate that can be supported by an acoustic channel for a given source power and source/receiver configuration. In this paper, broadband acoustic propagation modeling is applied to estimate the channel capacity for a time-invariant shallow-water waveguide for a single source-receiver pair and for vertical source and receiver arrays. Without bandwidth constraints, estimated single-input, single-output (SISO) capacities approach 10 megabitss at 1 km range, but beyond 2 km range they decay at a rate consistent with previous estimates by Peloquin and Leinhos (unpublished, 1997), which were based on a sonar equation calculation. Channel capacities subject to source bandwidth constraints are approximately 30-90% lower than for the unconstrained case, and exhibit a significant wind speed dependence. Channel capacity is investigated for single-input, multi-output (SIMO) and multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) systems, both for finite arrays and in the limit of a dense array spanning the entire water column. The limiting values of the SIMO and MIMO channel capacities for the modeled environment are found to be about four times higher and up to 200-400 times higher, respectively, than for the SISO case. Implications for underwater acoustic communication systems are discussed.     

Spatial diversity and combination technology using amplitude and phase weighting method for phase-coherent underwater acoustic communications

The UWA channel is characterized as a time-dispersive rapidly fading channel,which in addition exhibits Doppler instabilities and limited bandwidth. To eliminate intersymbol interference caused by multipath propagation, spatial diversity equalization is the main technical means. The paper combines the passive phase conjugation and spatial processing to maximize the output array gain. It uses signal-to-noise-plus-interference to evaluate the quality of signals received at different channels. The amplitude of signal is weighted using Sigmoid function. Second order PLL can trace the phase variation caused by channel, so the signal can be accumulated in the same phase. The signals received at different channels need to be normalized. It adopts fractional-decision feedback diversity equalizer(FDFDE) and achieves diversity equalization by using different channel weighted coefficients. The simulation and lake trial data processing results show that, the optimized diversity receiving equalization algorithm can improve communication system's ability in tracking the change of underwater acoustic channel,offset the impact of multipath and noise and improve the performance of communication system.The performance of the communication receiving system is better than that of the equal gain combination. At the same time, the bit error rate(BER) reduces 1.8%.     

Overview of channel models for underwater wireless communication networks

Acoustic communication in Underwater Wireless Communication Networks (UWCNs) has several challenges due to the presence of fading, multipath and refractive properties of the sound channel which necessitate the development of precise underwater channel models. Some existing channel models are simplified and do not consider multipath or multipath fading. In this paper, a detailed survey on ray-theory-based multipath Rayleigh underwater channel models for underwater wireless communication is presented and the research challenges for an efficient communication in this environment are outlined. These channel models are valid for shallow or deep water. They are based on acoustic propagation physics which captures different propagation paths of sound in the underwater and consider all the effects of shadow zones, multipath fading, operating frequency, depth and water temperature. The propagation characteristics are shown through mathematical analysis. Transmission losses between transceivers are investigated through simulations. Further simulations are carried out to study the bit error rate effects and the maximum internode distances for different networks and depths considering a 16-QAM modulation scheme with OFDM as the multicarrier transmission technique. The effect of weather season and the variability of ocean environmental factors such as water temperature on the communication performance are also shown. The mathematical analysis and simulations highlight important considerations for the deployment and operation of UWCNs.     

Exploiting joint sparsity for underwater acoustic MIMO communications

MIMO communication has been recognized as a potential solution for high speed underwater acoustic communication, which unfortunately encounters significant difficulties posed by simultaneous presence of multipath and Co-channel interference (CoI). Sparsity contained in the multipath structure of underwater acoustic channels offers an effective way for improving channel estimation quality and thus enhancing the communication performance in the form of time reversal or channel estimation based equalization. However, for MIMO channels with extensive multipath and CoI, the performance gain achieved by classic sparsity exploitation channel estimation methods such as orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) is still not enough to yield satisfactory performance. Under quasi-stationary assumption, underwater acoustic channels of adjacent data blocks exhibit correlated multipath structure, namely, multipath arrivals with similar time delay but different magnitude, which has not been exploited. In this paper, a joint sparse recovery approach is proposed to exploit the sparse correlation among adjacent data blocks to improve the performance of channel estimation. Under the framework of distributed compressed sensing (DCS), a joint sparse model which treats the multipath arrivals as sparse solutions with common time support is adopted to derive a joint sparse recovery algorithm for efficient channel estimation, the results of which are used to initialize and periodly update a channel estimation based time reversal receiver. Finally, underwater MIMO communication experimental results obtained in a shallow water channel are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, compared to the same type of receiver that do not exploit the joint sparse.     

Analytical method for evaluating the quality of acoustic fields radiated by a multielement therapeutic array with electronic focus steering

The paper presents an analytical method for calculating and analyzing the quality of 3-D acoustic fields of multielement phased arrays used in noninvasive ultrasound surgical devices. An analytical solution for the far field of each of its elements is used when calculating the array field. This method significantly accelerates calculations while preserving the high accuracy of results as compared to conventional direct numerical integration. Radiation from typical phased arrays is calculated using this approach, and the quality of their dynamic focusing is analyzed. Undesired diffraction effects caused by electronic focus steering are considered: an amplitude decrease in the main maximum and the appearance of grating lobes. The quality of dynamic focusing of the acoustic fields of two practically interesting arrays with a quasi-random element distribution (256 and 1024 elements, respectively), as well as of the regular array consisting of 256 elements is compared. In addition as well, a study is made of how the dimensions of the array elements and their spatial distributions affect the dimensions of the areas in which dynamic focusing is possible without occurrence of strong grating lobes and significant decrease in pressure amplitude at the main focus.

     

采用时反和时频差分OFDM的水声语音通信方法

针对水声信道多径、时变、多普勒等恶劣传输特点对水声语音通信的严重影响,本文采用多通道时间反转和时频差分OFDM进行水声语音通信技术方案设计,该方法首先通过多通道时间反转进行时间域和空间域多径聚焦,进而结合时频差分OFDM调制解调抑制残留多径的影响。由于无需采用信道估计和均衡算法,系统实现方便、复杂度低,同时对信道具有一定程度的稳健性。该方法语音压缩编码采用混合激励线性预测编码。仿真实验和海试实验表明了本文方案的有效性。     

Direct estimation of aberrating delays in pulse-echo imaging systems

Nearfield fluctuations in wave propagation velocity and system timing errors are among the sources of focusing aberrations in pulse-echo imaging systems. For situations in which the source of these errors can be modeled by a stationary phase aberrator placed in front of the transmitter and receiver aperture, appropriate electronic delays might be applied to the signals associated with each array element in order to restore the system to focus. A method is described and evaluated for estimating the set of aberrating delays in a linear array utilizing data from a single two-dimensional scan. The underlying principle is analogous to that of phase closure used for one-way passive interferometry and readily generalizes to two-dimensional arrays. Although the following theory is developed in the context of acoustic imaging, the general approach is applicable to other pulse-echo systems, such as radar.     

参量阵差分Pattern时延差编码冰下水声通信方法（英文）

In order to meet the demands of underwater acoustic communication in under ice environment,a differential Pattern time delay shift coding underwater acoustic communication method based on parametric array is introduced in this paper.The under ice underwater acoustic channel is characterized by heavy multipath transmission.Under this model,a parametric array emission method of Pattern signal is derived and the system performance is analyzed.A broadband low frequency sound waves with narrow beam-pattern,which will reduce the interface reflections and suppress the effects of multipath transmission,can be obtained by the emission method.The Songhua River under ice trial results show that there is an anti-multipath property and a higher data rate in the under-ice acoustic channel in proposed approach.     

利用等离子体声源测量浅海低频段水声信道特性

浅海水声信道的结构特征及其变化特性是浅海环境水下远程探测和通讯应用的基础.为了有效测量低频水声信道特性,我们在实验中采用了拖曳等离子体声源和垂直阵接收系统。通过实验测量与信道模型仿真输出的比较,对等离子体声源特性,特别是脉冲波形、空间指向性和电声转换效率,以及在信道中的传播特性等进行测量分析。结果表明:实验测量与信道模型仿真符合良好,实验中采用的等离子体声源的发射源级和拖曳姿态稳定,波形一致性好,可以满足走航式连续水下信道测量要求。      

Experimental studies of applications of time-reversal acoustics to noncoherent underwater communications

The most difficult problem in shallow underwater acoustic communications is considered to be the time-varying multipath propagation because it impacts negatively on data rates. At high data rates the intersymbol interference requires adaptive algorithms on the receiver side that lead to computationally intensive and complex signal processing. A novel technique called time-reversal acoustics (TRA) can environmentally adapt the acoustic propagation effects of a complex medium in order to focus energy at a particular target range and depth. Using TRA, the multipath structure is reduced because all the propagation paths add coherently at the intended target location. This property of time-reversal acoustics suggests a potential application in the field of noncoherent acoustic communications. This work presents results of a tank scale experiment using an algorithm for rapid transmission of binary data in a complex underwater environment with the TRA approach. A simple 15-symbol code provides an example of the simplicity and feasibility of the approach. Covert coding due to the inherent scrambling induced by the environment at points other than the intended receiver is also investigated. The experiments described suggest a high potential in data rate for the time-reversal approach in underwater acoustic communications while keeping the computational complexity low.     

A frequency-modulated-carrier digital communication technique for multipath underwater acoustic channels

Along with interferences, multipath propagation and, in particular, its instability in shallow sea is the main obstacle to increasing the digital data transfer rate in underwater acoustic communication systems. Given these conditions, the use of simple waveforms, for which the product of bandwidth by the length of the processing interval is close to unity, makes testing the quality of the communication channel much more difficult and strongly limits the possibilities of devices that compensate for current waveform distortions, such as, for example, equalizers. In multipath channels with random parameters, various complex waveforms with different spectrum spreading techniques had been used for years. Complex waveforms with a large base (time-bandwidth product) offer advantages in efficiently suppressing narrowband interferences and providing asynchronous multiple-access communications. This paper proposes a new complex waveform, which uses sequences of chirp pulses. On receiving, this waveform can be divided into individual responses through converting the delays of these individual responses to frequency offsets. After a special frequency conversion of the received signal, the multipath responses are separated in the frequency domain by conventional band-pass filtering.     

Multipath effects on the efficiency of interference compensation in VHF adaptive antenna systems

We consider the characteristics of signals in a multipath VHF communication channel which affect the efficiency of spatio-temporal processing of those signals. We present the results of experimental measurements of the efficiency of interference compensation with frequency-shift modulation under controlled conditions. Using the obtained data on various characteristics of the interference propagation channel, we analyze the factors decreasing the degree of compensation for such interference. We show that the multipath nature of the radio channel is the main factor leading to frequency and spatial selective fadings and uncorrelated distortions in the shape of the signal received by separated antennas. Research and Production Enterprise POLYOT, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 45–58, September, 2000.     

参量阵差分Pattern时延差编码冰下水声通信方法

为提高差分Pattern时延差编码水声通信方法的通信速率以及抗多途能力,使其能有效适用于冰下水声环境,提出了基于参量阵的差分Pattern时延差编码水声通信方法,推导了Pattern码的参量发射原理,分析了参量阵发射对该方法性能的影响,利用参量阵发射产生低频宽带窄指向性声柬,减少了声线触碰上下边界的次数,提高了系统抗多途的能力。冰下水域外场试验结果表明:本方法可有效抑制多途效应,同时低频宽带特性提高了系统通信速率。      

正交频分复用无源时间反转信道均衡方法研究

针对水声信道多途信号引起的正交频分复用(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing,OFDM)水声通信系统符号间干扰的问题,提出了无源时间反转均衡的方法,将发送的探测信号时间反转与OFDM信号做卷积,利用无源时间反转镜的时间聚焦原理减小信道多途带来的符号间干扰,在OFDM符号中不使用导频的情况下实现信道均衡,简化了均衡步骤并提高了OFDM符号频带利用率。分析比较了无源时反均衡方法与最小平方信道均衡在水声多途信道下的误码性能。仿真研究和湖上实验表明,无源时反信道均衡算法可以有效的减小多途信道对OFDM水声通信系统带来的影响。      

Waveguide invariant focusing for broadband beamforming in an oceanic waveguide

The performance of broadband sonar array processing can degrade significantly in shallow-water environments when interference becomes angularly spread due to multipath propagation. Particularly for towed line arrays near endfire, elevation angle spreading of multipath interference often results in masking of weaker sources of interest. While adaptive beamforming in a series of narrow frequency bands can suppress coherent multipath interference, this approach requires long observation times to estimate the required narrowband covariance matrices. To form wideband covariance matrices which can be estimated with less observation time, plane-wave focusing methods have been used to avoid interference covariance matrix rank inflation. This paper extends wideband focusing to the case of coherent multipath interference. The approach presented here, called waveguide invariant focusing (WIF), exploits a robust relationship for the frequency dependence of horizontal wave number differences. Unlike matched-field methods, WIF does not model multipath wave fronts but rather makes the interference appear to occupy the same rank-one subspace across frequency. This permits formation of wideband covariance matrices without interference rank inflation. Simulation experiments in a realistic ocean environment indicate that adaptive beamforming using WIF covariance matrices can provide a significant array gain improvement over conventional adaptive methods with limited observation time.     

An efficient spread spectrum pulse position modulation scheme for point-to-point underwater acoustic communication

The underwater acoustic channel is a complicated and time-varying multipath channel, and many equalization algorithms have been researched and developed to overcome the difficulties for underwater acoustic communication. Unfortunately, many algorithms are computational intensive and prone to lose convergence due to their sensitiveness to different channel configurations. In this paper, a pulse position modulation (PPM) scheme is proposed, and it uses two M-sequences of low cross-correlation to transfer information, which are modulated on two orthogonal carriers. One is used as a reference sequence, and the other is shifted relative to the reference. Information is carried by the starting time difference between the two sequences in each symbol. Comparing with conventional direct-sequence spread spectrum technique, the proposed scheme is more spectral efficient. Two receiver designs are given, one takes advantages of M-sequences’ auto-correlation properties, and the other is motivated by passive phase conjugation (PPC) to take advantages of the channel. Combined with M-sequence, PPC performance is augmented without a receiving array to cover the water column, and it is far less complex than adaptive equalizers for receivers. Results from lake field trials are analyzed, and they verify potential applications of this PPM scheme.     

经颅超声聚焦方法和声场特性研究

基于高分辨的CT数据建立了非均匀颅骨仿真模型,该模型引入了颅骨的声衰减系数,深入研究和分析了声波时间反转法和超声相控阵法在颅脑中的聚焦方法及效果。颅骨具有较强的声波衰减特性,使用时间反转聚焦时需要进行幅度补偿,对于0.7MHz的频率信号,幅度补偿后的时间反转聚焦声场主瓣宽度窄、旁瓣低,焦点处声场比无幅度补偿的时间反转法提高8.86dB,比超声相控阵聚焦法提高7.89dB,具有很好的空间聚焦精度和聚焦效率。研究了颅骨衰减系数、声场焦点位置、声波频率、换能器阵列位置和方位等参数对聚焦声场的影响,结果表明,幅度补偿时间反转法比相控阵法具有更低的旁瓣,且高频时的聚焦效果比相控阵好,相控阵聚焦对换能器阵列的位置和方位比较敏感,而时间反转经颅超声聚焦对声传播路径和入射角具有更高的鲁棒性。