SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this SBIR to optimize Efficient Channel Coding’s (ECC’s) advanced and flexible turbo code Forward Error Correction (FEC) solutions to improve the robustness of the In-Flight Interceptor Communications System (IFICS) link performance. This includes the evaluation of a range of turbo code options in the fading channel environments as produced by nuclear weapons effects in the ionosphere. It also includes the customization of ECC’s turbo code implementation technology that is suitable for receiver implementation in a Ground Based Interceptor (GBI). Additionally, the turbo codes developed under this SBIR will also find applications in commercial satellite-based and terrestrial communications systems. ECC’s turbo codes are advanced and flexible in the sense that the algorithms that are employed for decoding have been designed and implemented to performance within 1 dB of the theoretical limit in reasonable complexity hardware across a range of applications. This allows ECC to customize the turbo code to span from very low data rates to Gbps rates with implementations ranging from software to full-custom semiconductors. As a recognized leader in turbo coding technology and products, Efficient Channel Coding (ECC) has been developing turbo code hardware and software for government and commercial applications since 1996. Our expertise includes selecting the appropriate turbo code approach for the specific type of communications channel from both the hardware and performance. ECC has pioneered the use of turbo codes in satellite communications and has applied turbo codes to approximately 20 different commercial and government communications systems. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Turbo Code solutions that are suitable for the IFICS system can be applied to additional markets where low power consumption, small footprints, and excellent performance in fading channels are important. As such, ECC feels that the work completed as part of this SBIR has the potential to open up additional markets, much in the same way that our original implementation turbo codes did. General market areas include consumer satellite communications, corporate satellite communications, government communications, and commercial broadband terrestrial communications.

Keywords:
Turbo Codes, Low Density Parity Check Codes, Fading Channel, Application Specific Integrated Circuit, Convolutional Turbo Codes, Turbo Product Codes

The MDA03-37 Phase I research explored the potential of improvement of adding turbocodes to MDA's IFICS system. In the related Phase II effort, ECC proposes to develop the hardware and firmware necessary implement the Phase I algorithms in an end-to-end communications link, and perform the testing and measurements required to validate the results obtained in MDA03-37. As an optional extension to this development effort, ECC proposes to add significant extensions to further improve the robustness of the IFICS communication link. These enhancements include alternate modulation/demodulation methods, improved waveform design, and use of diversity at both transmit and receive locations. As part of the optional proposal, ECC will procure and test the system over a wide range of configurations using an Advanced Channel Simulator. It is anticipated that the results of the Optional development effort will demonstrate communication techniques that show dramatic improvements over existing IFICS performance, and over the performance of adding turbocodes alone.

Keywords:
multi-path fading and jamming, diversity at transmit and receive locations, turbo codes and ldpc's, arq mechanism, end to end packet tranmission and r