Kurzfassung Technical Handbook VHF2013

Technical Handbook
for
Radio Monitoring
VHF/UHF
Edition 2013
Dipl.- Ing. Roland Prsch

Dipl.- Inf. Aikaterini Daskalaki-Prsch
Technical Handbook
for
Radio Monitoring
VHF/UHF
Edition 2013
Books on Demand GmbH
Description of modulation techniques

and waveforms on VHF/UHF
with 232 pictures and 85 tables
Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek

Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in
der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische
Daten sind im Internet ber http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufbar.
2013 Dipl.- Ing. Roland Prsch, Dipl.- Inf. Aikaterini Daskalaki-Prsch

Email: roland@proesch.net, k.daskalaki@gmx.de
Production and publishing: Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany
Cover design: Anne Prsch
Cover fotos: Mike Hhn, Roland Prsch
Printed in Germany
Webpage: technicalhandbook.frequencymanager.de
ISBN 9783732241477
Acknowledgement:
Thanks for those persons who have supported us in the preparation of this book.
Oscar Diez
Disclaimer:
The information in this book have been collected over years. The main problem is that there are not
many open sources to get information about this sensitive field. Although we tried to verify these
information from different sources it may be that there are mistakes. Please do not hesitate to
contact us if you discover any wrong description.
Content
1.
LIST OF PICTURES
15
2.
LIST OF TABLES
21
3.
GENERAL
23
4.
DESCRIPTION OF WAVEFORMS
25
Analogue Waveforms
Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Double Sideband reduced Carrier (DSB-RC)
Double Sideband suppressed Carrier (DSB-SC)
Single Sideband full Carrier
Single Sideband reduced Carrier (SSB-RC)
Single Sideband suppressed Carrier (SSB-SC)
Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)
Independent Sideband Modulation (ISB)
Vestigal Sideband Modulation (VSB)
Frequency Modulation (FM)
Wide Frequency Modulation (WFM)
25
25
26
26
27
28
28
28
29
30
31
32
Digital Waveforms
Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying (CPFSK)
Double Frequency Shift Keying (DFSK)
Constant Envelope 4-Level Frequency Modulation (C4FM)
Minimum Shift Keying (MSK)
Tamed Frequency modulation (TFM)
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)
Multi Frequency Shift Keying (MFSK)
Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK)
Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK)
Staggered Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (SQPSK)
Compatible Differential Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (CQPSK)
Coherent Phase Shift Keying (CPSK)
Differential Coherent Phase Shift Keying (DCPSK)
8PSK Modulation
Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK)
Differential Binary Phase Shift Keying (DBPSK)
Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DQPSK)
Differential 8 Phase Shift Keying (D8PSK)
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
Spread Spectrum (SS)
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Incremental Frequency Keying (IFK)
Analogue Pulse Modulation
33
33
34
35
35
36
37
38
38
38
40
40
42
44
44
44
45
45
45
46
46
46
46
47
49
51
51
52
52
53
Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
Pulse Position Modulation (PPM)
Digital Pulse Modulation
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
Delta Modulation
53
53
53
54
54
54
Description of modulation states

Asynchronous Data Transmission
Synchronous Data Transmission
Simplex
Duplex
Half duplex
Semi duplex
56
56
56
57
57
57
57
Bit Rate, Symbol Rate, Baud Rate

Bit rate
Symbol rate
Baud rate
58
58
58
58
Data formats
NRZ (Non Return to Zero)
NRZ (S) (Non Return to Zero - Space)
NRZ (M) (Non Return to Zero - Mark)
Bi--L (Bi-phase Level)
Bi--S (Bi-phase Space)
Bi-- M (Bi-phase Mark)
59
60
60
60
60
60
60
Coding
Code
Codes in communication used for brevity
An example: the ASCII code
Codes to detect or correct errors
Error-correcting code (ECC)
Forward Error Correction (FEC)
Convolutional code
Viterbi algorithm
Reed-Solomon error correction
Overview of the method
Properties of Reed-Solomon codes
Use of Reed-Solomon codes in optical and magnetic storage
Timeline of Reed-Solomon development
Satellite technique: Reed-Solomon + Viterbi coding
Turbo code
Shannon-Hartley theorem
Theorem
Examples
61
61
61
61
62
62
62
63
63
64
64
64
65
65
65
66
66
66
67
Used code tables

ITA2, ITA2P and ITA3(CCIR342-2)
Russian MTK2
CCIR476-4, HNG-FEC, PICCOLO MK VI
ITA 2 P
ITA 3
CCIR 476
ASCII / CCITT 5
68
68
69
70
71
71
71
71
Frequency-division multiple access (FDMA)

Time division multiple access (TDMA)
Code division multiple access (CDMA)
Orthogonal Frequency multiple access (OFDMA)
75
75
76
76
The OSI Reference Model

The Physical Layer
The Data Link Layer
The Network Layer
The Transport Layer
The Session Layer
The Presentation Layer
The Application Layer
77
77
78
78
79
80
80
80
Protocols
ACP127
STANAG 4406 Messaging
STANAG 5066
X.25
RSX.25
81
81
81
82
83
88
Designation of Emissions
Determination of Necessary Bandwidths
89
93
5.
VHF MODES
ACARS
ADS-B
AIS
AMPS
APCO 25
ARDIS
ATCS
ATIS
BIIS
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B
Bluetooth 1.1
Bluetooth 1.2
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Bluetooth 3.0 + HS
Bluetooth 4.0
Broadcast WFM
Pre-emphasis and de-emphasis
CCIR-1
CCIR-2
CCITT
CDMA One
CDMA2000
CDPD
Cordless Phone
Analogue Standard CT0
Analogue Standard CT0 (Extended)
Analogue Standard CT1
Analogue Standard CT1+
Digital Standard CT2
101
101
105
106
109
110
112
114
117
118
119
120
120
120
120
121
121
121
122
123
123
124
125
125
126
126
130
131
131
131
131
131
Digital Standard CT2+

Digital Standard CT3
CTCSS
DAB
DAB Bands and modes
Audio codec
DAB Error-correction coding
DAB Single-frequency networks
DAB Bit rates
DAB Frequencies
DAB+
D-AMPS
DCSS
DECT
DPMR
DPMR Mode 1
DPMR Mode 2
DPMR Mode 3
DPMR Framing
DPMR Burst Structure
DSTAR
DSTAR Framing
DSTAR Radio Header
DSTAR data
DSTAR voice
DTMF
DVB-T
EEA
EIA
EPIRB
EPLRS
ERMES
Data Format
Hierarchy
EUROSIGNAL
EXICOM EX7100
Family Radio Service
FLEX
FMS BOS
FSK 441
GMDSS-DSC VHF
GMRS
GSM
The system components in GSM
MS (Mobile Station)
BSS (Base Station System)
NSS (Network and Switching Subsystem)
OSS (Operations Support System or Operation Subsystem)
Overview of the network architecture
GSM Interfaces
Logical Channels of the radio channel
Broadcast Channel (BCH)
Common Control Channel (CCCH)
Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)
Bursts and frame structure
Normal burst
Frequency correction burst
Synchronization burst
10
132
133
133
134
134
135
135
136
136
136
140
141
143
144
145
146
147
147
147
148
150
151
151
153
153
155
155
160
161
162
164
165
166
166
167
168
168
170
173
174
176
178
179
181
181
182
182
182
183
184
185
187
187
187
187
188
189
189
Dummy burst
Access burst
Frequency Hopping
Have Quick
ITU Fax and Modem Standards
Modem Standards
V.19 Modem Standard
V.21 Modem Standard
V.22 Modem Standard
V.22 bis Modem Standard
V.23 Modem Standard
V.26 Modem Standard
V.26bis Modem Standard
V.26ter Modem Standard
V.27 Modem Standard
V.32 Modem Standard
V.32bis Modem Standard
V.33 Modem Standard
V.36 Modem Standard
V.37 Modem Standard
V.38 Modem Standard
V.90 Modem Standard
Fax Standards
V.17 FAX Standard
V.29 FAX Standard
V.27bis FAX Standard
V.27ter FAX Standard
V.34 FAX Standard
DSVD and H.324 Standards
JT2
JT44
JT6M
LINK 4A/C
LINK 4A
LINK 4C
LINK 11 CLEW
LINK 11 SLEW
LINK 14
LINK Y
LINK Z
LINK 16
LINK 22
LTE
MDC-600/MDC-1200
MDC-4800
Mobitex-1200
Mobitex-8000
RAM
MPT 1327
NATEL
NMT-450
NOAA Weather Radio
Elements of NWR SAME Messages
Message Format of NRW SAME
Codes of NWR SAME
EAS Event (NWR-SAME) Codes
Packet Radio
PMR
189
189
190
192
193
193
194
194
194
195
196
196
197
197
197
197
197
197
197
197
198
198
198
199
199
199
200
200
200
201
202
203
203
204
204
204
207
208
209
210
210
211
212
215
216
217
218
218
220
221
221
222
222
224
227
227
229
230
11
POCSAG
Preamble Structure
Batch Structure
Frame Structure
Address codeword
Message codeword
Idle Codeword
Numeric Message Format
Alpha-Numeric Message Format
Radiosondes
VAISALA RS80 15GH
VAISALA RS92 KL
VAISALA RS92 SGPD
M2 K2
Table of Radiosondes
Railnet
RD-LAP
RDS/RBDS
RDS data structure
Harris RF 7800V
SEM93
SENOA MSK Hopping System
TACAN
TETRA
TETRA II
TETRAPOL
Trunked Radio
Terrestrial Television Analogue
Terrestrial Television Digital
VDEW
VHF Digital Link Modes
Frequency Allocation
VDL Mode 1
VDL Mode 2
VDL Mode 3
VDL Mode 4
ZVEI 1
ZVEI 2
ZVEI 2 xx tones
231
231
232
232
232
233
233
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
243
244
246
249
254
257
258
259
265
266
268
269
274
275
275
275
277
277
278
279
282
283
283
6.
RADAR
GRAVES
METEOR RADAR
NAVSPASUR
285
285
287
288
7.
SATELLITES
COSPAS-SARSAT
INMARSAT
INMARSAT-A
INMARSAT Aero H
INMARSAT Aero H+
INMARSAT Aero I
INMARSAT Aero L
INMARSAT Aero Mini-M
INMARSAT-B
INMARSAT-C
291
291
292
293
293
293
293
293
294
294
294
12
INMARSAT Mini-C
INMARSAT D
INMARSAT D+
INMARSAT-E
INMARSAT-M
INMARSAT mini-M
INMARSAT Fleet F33
INMARSAT Fleet F55
INMARSAT Fleet F77
INMARSAT GAN/M4
INMARSAT Regional BGAN
INMARSAT Swift64
INMARSAT TDM channel details
INMARSAT Packet Formats
INMARSAT-C Raw Frame Example
LES ID Structure
Packet Descriptor with variable size (1-2 Bytes):
Bulletin Board Packet - LES Status / Services Bytes (Byte 9-11)
Bulletin Board Packet
Signalling Channel Packet
Logical Channel Assignment Packet
Enhanced Data Report Acknowledgement Packet
Logical Channel Clear Packet
Inbound Message Acknowledgement Packet
Acknowledgement Request Packet
Message Packet
Multiframe Message Packet
Multiframe Message Continued Packet
Request Status Packet
Distress Test Request Packet
Distress Alert Acknowledgement Packet
Distress Test Results Packet
ORBCOMM
ORBCOMM Downlink
ORBCOMM SDPSK modulation
ORBCOMM Downlink Data Format
ORBCOMM subscriber uplink
ORBCOMM uplink GES to Satellite Channels
ORBCOMM beacon
STEREO-A/B
STEREO Telemtry
Thuraya
UHF Satellites
8.
TABLES FOR RADIO MONITORING
296
296
297
297
297
298
298
299
299
300
300
300
301
304
304
304
304
305
306
306
307
307
308
308
308
309
309
310
310
310
311
311
312
313
313
313
314
315
315
315
317
317
320
323
Allocation of International Call Signs
323
Alphabetical List of Country Codes
327
Selective Calling
331
Allocation of Maritime Identification Digits
335
Weather Forecast (TAF and METAR)
348
13
TAF
METAR
348
348
Q , X and Z - Code
Q-Codes
X-Codes
Z-Codes
351
351
361
362
Abbreviations
371
9.
379
INDEX
14
1.
List of Pictures
Picture 1: Different AM waveforms ................................................................................................. 25

Picture 2: Spectrum and sonagram of an amplitude modulation .................................................... 26
Picture 3: Spectrum of a double sideband suppressed carrier signal ............................................. 27
Picture 4: Spectrum and sonagram of a single sidband modulation with full carrier..................... 27
Picture 5: Spectrum and sonagram of a single sidband modulation with reduced carrier ............. 28
Picture 6: Spectrum of a single sideband modulation ..................................................................... 29
Picture 7: Spectrum of an independent modulated signal ............................................................... 29
Picture 8: Frequency Modulation .................................................................................................... 31
Picture 9: Spectrum and sonagram of a frequency modulation ...................................................... 31
Picture 10: Spectrum of a wide FM broadcast transmitter ............................................................. 32
Picture 11: Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) ....................................................................................... 33
Picture 12: Spectrum of an ASK with 100 Bd .................................................................................. 33
Picture 13: Oscilloscope display of an ASK .................................................................................... 34
Picture 14: Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) ...................................................................................... 34
Picture 15: Spectrum of an FSK ...................................................................................................... 34
Picture 16: Spetrum of a CPFSK with 100 Bd................................................................................. 35
Picture 17: Spectrum of a DFSK ..................................................................................................... 36
Picture 18: IQ Plot of C4FM ........................................................................................................... 36
Picture 19: Sonagram and spectrum of C4FM in idle mode ........................................................... 37
Picture 20: Minimum Shift Keying................................................................................................... 38
Picture 21: Spectrum of a Tamed Frequency Modulation (TFM 3) with 100 Bd ............................ 38
Picture 22: Spectrum of a MFSK with 12 tones............................................................................... 39
Picture 23: Phase shift Keying......................................................................................................... 40
Picture 24: BPSK-A ......................................................................................................................... 40
Picture 25: Phase plane of a BPSK ................................................................................................. 41
Picture 26: Spectrum of a BPSK with 600 Bd ................................................................................. 41
Picture 27: BPSK-B ......................................................................................................................... 41
Picture 28: QPSK-A ......................................................................................................................... 42
Picture 29: QPSK-B ......................................................................................................................... 43
Picture 30: Spectrum of a QPSK with 600 Bd ................................................................................. 43
Picture 31: Phase plane of a QPSK ................................................................................................. 43
Picture 32: Phase plane of an OQPSK (right) compared to QPSK (left) ........................................ 44
Picture 33: Phase Plane of an 8PSK ............................................................................................... 45
Picture 34: Spectrum of an 8PSK with 600 Bd ................................................................................ 46
Picture 35: Example of an 8QAM and 16QAM in the Phase Plane ................................................ 47
Picture 36: Spectrum of a QAM8 with 600 Bd ................................................................................ 48
Picture 37: Spectrum of a QAM16 with 600 Bd .............................................................................. 48
Picture 38: Comparison of FDM and OFDM ................................................................................. 49
Picture 39: Spectrum of an audio OFDM with 45 channels ............................................................ 49
Picture 40: Spectrum of an OFDM for DAB ................................................................................... 50
Picture 41: Function of DSSS .......................................................................................................... 51
Picture 42: Function of FHSS.......................................................................................................... 52
Picture 43: Different types of amplitude modulation ....................................................................... 53
15
Picture 44: Quantization in a PCM ................................................................................................. 54

Picture 45: Delta Modulation.......................................................................................................... 55
Picture 46: Common data formats .................................................................................................. 59
Picture 47: Principle of FDMA ....................................................................................................... 75
Picture 48: Principle of TDMA ....................................................................................................... 75
Picture 49: Principle of OFDMA .................................................................................................... 76
Picture 50: The OSI reference model .............................................................................................. 77
Picture 51: STANAG 5066 layers .................................................................................................... 82
Picture 52: Spectrum of ACARS .................................................................................................... 101
Picture 53: Sonagram of ACARS packets...................................................................................... 101
Picture 54: Mode S short squitter frame ....................................................................................... 105
Picture 55: Mode S extended squitter frame ................................................................................. 105
Picture 56: PPM of ADS-B ............................................................................................................ 106
Picture 57: Framing of ADS-B ...................................................................................................... 106
Picture 58: AIS frame .................................................................................................................... 106
Picture 59: AIS spectrum and sonogram ....................................................................................... 107
Picture 60: Framing of APCO25................................................................................................... 110
Picture 61: Spectrum and sonagram of an ARDIS signal with 4800 Bps ..................................... 112
Picture 62: Spectrum and sonagram of a 4FSK ARDIS signal with 19200 Bps ........................... 113
Picture 63: Framing of MDC-4800 in an ARDIS signal ............................................................... 113
Picture 64: Framing of RD-LAP in an ARDIS signal ................................................................... 114
Picture 65: Spectrum and sonagram of an ATCS signal ............................................................... 115
Picture 66: Structure of a 5 serie address ..................................................................................... 115
Picture 67: Structure of a 7 serie address ..................................................................................... 116
Picture 68: Spectrum of an ATIS 1200 Bd signal with test loop ................................................... 117
Picture 69: Spectrum of BIIS ......................................................................................................... 118
Picture 70: Format of a Bluetooth frame ...................................................................................... 119
Picture 71: Spectrum of a WFM .................................................................................................... 122
Picture 72: Spectrum of FM stereo with sub-channels.................................................................. 123
Picture 73: Spectrum of a CCIR-1 signal ...................................................................................... 124
Picture 74: Spectrum of a CCIR-2 signal ...................................................................................... 124
Picture 75: Spectrum of CCITT signal .......................................................................................... 125
Picture 76: Spectrum of a GMSK with 19200 Bd .......................................................................... 127
Picture 77: CDPD framing of forward channel ............................................................................ 128
Picture 78: CDPD reverse channel framing ................................................................................. 129
Picture 79: Cordless phone standards .......................................................................................... 130
Picture 80: Spectrum of a CT2 signal ........................................................................................... 132
Picture 81: Framing of CT2 .......................................................................................................... 132
Picture 82: Spectrum of a DAB signal .......................................................................................... 134
Picture 83: Spectrum of a DECT signal ........................................................................................ 144
Picture 84: Slot occupation of DECT ............................................................................................ 144
Picture 85: Framing of DECT voice transmission ........................................................................ 145
Picture 86: Spectrogram of DPMR ............................................................................................... 146
Picture 87: DPMR TDMA structure .............................................................................................. 147
Picture 88: DPMR generic burst structure ................................................................................... 148
16
Picture 89: DPMR TDMA frame mobile station............................................................................ 148

Picture 90: DPMR TDMA frame base station ............................................................................... 149
Picture 91: Spectrum of DSTAR on IF level .................................................................................. 150
Picture 92: Audio spectrum of a DSTAR signal ............................................................................ 150
Picture 93: Sonogram of a DSTAR signal with pre- and post carrier ........................................... 151
Picture 94: DSTAR overall framing............................................................................................... 151
Picture 95: Framing of the DSTAR radio header .......................................................................... 151
Picture 96: Framing of DSTAR data payload ............................................................................... 153
Picture 97: Framing of DSTAR voice payload .............................................................................. 154
Picture 98: Spectrum of a DTMF signal ........................................................................................ 155
Picture 99: Spectrum of DVB-T in 8k mode .................................................................................. 156
Picture 100: Spectrum of DVB-T with 7 MHz bandwidth.............................................................. 157
Picture 101: Scheme of a DVB-T transmission system .................................................................. 158
Picture 102: MPEG-2 framing ...................................................................................................... 159
Picture 103: Spectrum of EEA signal ............................................................................................ 161
Picture 104: Spectrum of EIA signal ............................................................................................. 161
Picture 105: Spectrum of a 400 Bd EPIRB signal ......................................................................... 162
Picture 106: Phase plane of a EPIRB ............................................................................................ 162
Picture 107: Baudrate measurement with phase spectrum of a EPIRB ........................................ 163
Picture 108: Sonagram of an EPIRB ............................................................................................. 163
Picture 109: EPIRB short message format .................................................................................... 163
Picture 110: EPIRB long message format ..................................................................................... 164
Picture 111: Spectrum and sonogram of an ERMES signal .......................................................... 165
Picture 112: ERMES data format .................................................................................................. 166
Picture 113: Spectrum of an EXICOM radio................................................................................. 168
Picture 114: Spectrogram of FRS .................................................................................................. 169
Picture 115: Spectrum of a FLEX signal 2FSK mode ................................................................... 170
Picture 116: Spectrrum of a FLEX signal 4FSK mode .................................................................. 170
Picture 117: Framing of FLEX ...................................................................................................... 171
Picture 118: FLEX frame information ........................................................................................... 172
Picture 119: Spectrum of a FMS BOS signal ................................................................................ 173
Picture 120: Spectrum and sonagram of a FSK441 signal ........................................................... 174
Picture 121: MFSK oscilloscope for a FSK441............................................................................. 175
Picture 122: Spectrum of a GMDSS signal with 511 bit test slip .................................................. 176
Picture 123: Spectrum of a GMDSS signal under real conditions ................................................ 176
Picture 124: Spectrogram of GMRS .............................................................................................. 178
Picture 125: Spectrum of GSM ...................................................................................................... 179
Picture 126: Architecture of the GSM Interfaces .......................................................................... 183
Picture 127: Frequency Reuse ....................................................................................................... 184
Picture 128: Logical Channels in GSM ......................................................................................... 186
Picture 129: Burst types in GSM ................................................................................................... 188
Picture 130: GSM Frame Structure ............................................................................................... 190
Picture 131: Slow Frequency Hopping over three frequencies in GSM ........................................ 191
Picture 132: Spectrum of V.22 modem .......................................................................................... 194
Picture 133: Phase plane of V.22 modem ...................................................................................... 195
17
Picture 134: Spectrum of V.22bis modem with 2400 Bps ............................................................. 195
Picture 135: Phase plane of V.22bis modem ................................................................................. 196
Picture 136: Spectrum of V.23 modem .......................................................................................... 196
Picture 137: Spectrum and sonagram of a JT2 signal .................................................................. 201
Picture 138: Spectrum and sonagram of a JT44 signal ................................................................ 202
Picture 139_ Spectrum and sonagram of a JT6M signal .............................................................. 203
Picture 140: Spectrum of a LINK 11 transmission ........................................................................ 205
Picture 141: Spectrum of the LINK 11 single Tone Modem .......................................................... 208
Picture 142: Sonagram of LINK 11 SLEW .................................................................................... 208
Picture 143: Typical spectrum of a LINK 14 signal ...................................................................... 209
Picture 144: Uplink spectrum of LTE............................................................................................ 212
Picture 145: LTE framing.............................................................................................................. 213
Picture 146: LTE physical resource block PRB ............................................................................ 213
Picture 147: Spectrum of ressource blocks of LTE ....................................................................... 214
Picture 148: Spectrum of a MDC-1200 signal .............................................................................. 215
Picture 149: Frame structure for a MDC-1200 signal ................................................................. 215
Picture 150: Spectrum and sonagram of MDC-4800 signal with 4800 Bps ................................. 216
Picture 151: Framing of MDC-4800 ............................................................................................. 217
Picture 152: Spectrum of a MOBITEX-1200 ................................................................................ 217
Picture 153: Sonagram of a MOBITEX-1200 ............................................................................... 217
Picture 154: Frame structure used in MOBITEX.......................................................................... 219
Picture 155: Spectrum of MPT1327 channel ................................................................................ 220
Picture 156: Spectrum of NWR SAME .......................................................................................... 222
Picture 157: Burst sonagram of NWR SAME ................................................................................ 223
Picture 158: Spectrum of a 1200 bd Packet Radio signal ............................................................. 229
Picture 159: Spectrogram of PMR ................................................................................................ 230
Picture 160: Spectrum of a POCSAG signal ................................................................................. 231
Picture 161: Structure of a POCSAG signal ................................................................................. 232
Picture 162: Structure of the POCSAG batches ............................................................................ 232
Picture 163: Frame Structure........................................................................................................ 232
Picture 165: Sonagram of a VAISALA RS15GH ........................................................................... 237
Picture 166: Spectrum and sonagram of a RS 92 KL radiosonde ................................................. 237
Picture 167: VAISALA RS92 SGPD IF spectrum .......................................................................... 238
Picture 168: Spectrum of a VAISALA RS92 SGPD ....................................................................... 238
Picture 169: Spectrum of a Mark M2K2 ....................................................................................... 239
Picture 170: Phase spectrum of a Mark2K2 with 400 bd peaks ................................................... 239
Picture 171: Principle of FLASH-OFDM ..................................................................................... 242
Picture 172: Spectrogram of Railnet ............................................................................................. 242
Picture 173: Spectrum and sonagram of a 4FSK used in RD-LAP ............................................... 243
Picture 174: Framing of RD-LAP ................................................................................................. 244
Picture 175: Spectrum of FM broadcast carrier ........................................................................... 245
Picture 176: Spectrum of a RDS signal within a WFM signal ...................................................... 245
Picture 177: RDS data structure ................................................................................................... 246
Picture 178: Spectrum of 2400 Bd MELP signal .......................................................................... 249
Picture 179: Phase constellation of 2400 Bd MELP signal .......................................................... 249
18
Picture 180: Harris frequency hopper with a hopping bandwidth of 5 MHz ................................ 250
Picture 181: Selection of one hop of a frequency hopper .............................................................. 250
Picture 182: Spectrogram view of a repeated hop ........................................................................ 251
Picture 183: Measurement of the duration of one frequency hop ................................................. 252
Picture 184: Expanded display of one hop .................................................................................... 252
Picture 185: Shift measurement of one hop ................................................................................... 253
Picture 186: Baudrate measurement of one hop ........................................................................... 253
Picture 187: SEM93 spectrum secure voice in none-ECCM mode ............................................... 254
Picture 188: SEM93 shift measurement in none-ECCM mode ...................................................... 254
Picture 189: SEM93 baud rate measurement in none-ECCM mode ............................................. 255
Picture 190: SEM93 hopping spectrum 1 MHz in ECCM mode ................................................... 255
Picture 191: SEM93 spectrum in ECCM mode ............................................................................. 256
Picture 192: SEM93 measurement of hop length in ECCM mode................................................. 256
Picture 193: SEM93 baud rate measurement in ECCM mode ...................................................... 257
Picture 194: SEM93 shift measurement in ECCM mode ............................................................... 257
Picture 195: Spectrum of TETRA................................................................................................... 259
Picture 196: Logical Channels in TETRA ..................................................................................... 262
Picture 197: TDMA frame structure of TETRA ............................................................................. 263
Picture 198: Burst structure in TETRA.......................................................................................... 264
Picture 199: TERA II spectrum...................................................................................................... 266
Picture 200: TERA II single carrier spectrum .............................................................................. 266
Picture 201: Spectrum of a TETRAPOL signal ............................................................................. 267
Picture 202: TETRAPOL frame structure ..................................................................................... 267
Picture 203: Spectrum of TETRAPOL signals ............................................................................... 267
Picture 204: Spectrum of a single trunked radio channel ............................................................. 268
Picture 205: Trunked Radio unused and used channel ................................................................. 269
Picture 206: Scannning and display of television lines ................................................................. 270
Picture 207: Structure of a black & white video signal ................................................................. 271
Picture 208: Structure of a colour video signal ............................................................................. 271
Picture 209: Spectrum of ZVEI 1 Signal ........................................................................................ 282
Picture 210: Sonagram of a reflection on a Meteor trail .............................................................. 286
Picture 211: Spectrogram of a METEOR RADAR at Juliusruh on 53.5 MHz............................... 287
Picture 212: Spectrum of the pulses .............................................................................................. 287
Picture 213: Pulse width measurement ......................................................................................... 288
Picture 214: Meteor reception of the NAVSPASUR ...................................................................... 289
Picture 215: Spectrum of INMARSAT satellite .............................................................................. 295
Picture 216: Spectrum of active earth stations on INMARSAT ..................................................... 295
Picture 217: Spectrum of INMARSAT-C 1200 Bd TDMA ............................................................. 296
Picture 218: Phase plane of INMARSAT-C 1200 Bd BPSK TDMA .............................................. 296
Picture 219: Spectrum of INMARSAT M NCS ............................................................................... 297
Picture 220: Spectrum of INMARSAT- mini-M NCS ..................................................................... 298
Picture 221: INMARSAT bit structure of the signalling channel................................................... 302
Picture 222: Spectrum of an ORBCOMM 4800 bps SDPSK ......................................................... 313
Picture 223: Phase spectrum of an ORCOMM SDPSK with peaks at 4800 bps ........................... 314
Picture 224: Phase constellation of an ORCOMM SDPSK........................................................... 314
19
Picture 225: Spectrum of the STEREO telemetry .......................................................................... 316

Picture 226: Phase spectrum of the STEREO telemetry................................................................ 316
Picture 227: Phase constellation of the STEREO telemetry.......................................................... 316
Picture 228: STEREO telemtry frame ........................................................................................... 317
Picture 229: STEREO telemetry packet ........................................................................................ 317
Picture 230: Coverage area of Thuraya (copyright www.thuraya.com) ...................................... 318
Picture 231: UHF satellites transponder layout wide ................................................................... 322
Picture 232: UHF satellites transponder layout narrow............................................................... 322
20
2.
List of Tables
Table 1: C4FM symbol table ........................................................................................................... 36

Table 2: Bit value for QPSK ............................................................................................................ 42
Table 3: Phase shifts for CQPSK ..................................................................................................... 44
Table 4: Bit values for DQPSK ........................................................................................................ 46
Table 5: Bit values for QAM ............................................................................................................ 47
Table 6: Different description for data levels .................................................................................. 56
Table 7: Code table for ITA2, ITA2P and ITA3 ............................................................................... 68
Table 8: Code table for CCIR476-4, HNG-FEC and PICCOLO MK VI alphabets ........................ 70
Table 9: ASCII table ........................................................................................................................ 74
Table 10: X.25 Packet frame ........................................................................................................... 84
Table 11: Common used transmission modes .................................................................................. 92
Table 12: Terms and their description ............................................................................................. 93
Table 13: Determination of necessary bandwidths for emissions ................................................. 100
Table 14: Main ACARS frequencies .............................................................................................. 103
Table 15: ACARS message format ................................................................................................. 104
Table 16: Data structure of AIS ..................................................................................................... 107
Table 17: ACL packet types in Bluetooth....................................................................................... 119
Table 18: Tone frequencies of CCIR-1 .......................................................................................... 123
Table 19: Tone frequencies of CCIR-2 .......................................................................................... 124
Table 20: Tone frequencies of CCITT............................................................................................ 125
Table 21: Frequencies of CT0 ....................................................................................................... 131
Table 22: Frequencies of CT0 extended ........................................................................................ 131
Table 23: Tone frequencies of CTCSS ........................................................................................... 133
Table 24: DAB Broadcast band III ................................................................................................ 138
Table 25: DAB Channel 13 frequencies ........................................................................................ 138
Table 26: DAB L-band frequencies ............................................................................................... 139
Table 27: Main parameter of D-AMPS.......................................................................................... 142
Table 28: DCSS bit structure ......................................................................................................... 143
Table 29: DCSS tone frequencies .................................................................................................. 143
Table 30: Frequency mapping DPMR ........................................................................................... 145
Table 31: Modes of DPMR ............................................................................................................ 146
Table 32: DSTAR radio header flag 1 description ........................................................................ 152
Table 33: DTMF tone frequencies ................................................................................................. 155
Table 34: DVB-T available bitrates ............................................................................................... 158
Table 35: EEA tone frequencies..................................................................................................... 160
Table 36: EIA tone frequencies...................................................................................................... 161
Table 37: Frequencies for ERMES ................................................................................................ 165
Table 38: EURO tone frequencies ................................................................................................. 167
Table 39: FRS frequencies ............................................................................................................. 169
Table 40: Structure of FMS BOS messages ................................................................................... 173
Table 41: FSK 441 tone/character combination............................................................................ 175
Table 42: Ten bit error detecting code of GMDSS VHF ............................................................... 177
21
Table 43: GMRS frequencies duplex ............................................................................................. 179

Table 44: GMRS frequencies simplex............................................................................................ 179
Table 45: GSM Frequencies .......................................................................................................... 180
Table 46: Different GSM frequency ranges by country................................................................. 181
Table 47: Power for mobile station (MS) in GSM ......................................................................... 181
Table 48: ITU Modem Standards .................................................................................................. 194
Table 49: ITU Fax Standards ........................................................................................................ 198
Table 50: LINK 11 frequencies ..................................................................................................... 205
Table 51: LTE relation bandwidth resource blocks ...................................................................... 214
Table 52: Frequencies Mobitex ..................................................................................................... 219
Table 53: NATEL tone frequencies ............................................................................................... 221
Table 54: Channel frequencies for PMR ....................................................................................... 230
Table 55: POCSAG numeric character ......................................................................................... 234
Table 56: POCSAG alpha numeric message format ..................................................................... 234
Table 57: Tone frequencies of IRIG telemetry standard ............................................................... 235
Table 58: Overview of types of radiosondes.................................................................................. 241
Table 59: RDS and RBDS program types ..................................................................................... 248
Table 60: TETRA II modulations and datarates ........................................................................... 265
Table 61: Different TV standards ................................................................................................. 273
Table 62: TV standards - signal characterisation ......................................................................... 274
Table 63: Differrent digital terrestrial television standards ........................................................ 274
Table 64: VDEW tone frequencies ................................................................................................ 275
Table 65: Frequencies for VHF Digital Link (VDL) ..................................................................... 276
Table 66: ZVEI 1 tone frequencies ................................................................................................ 282
Table 67: ZVEI 2 tone frequencies ................................................................................................ 283
Table 68: Transmitter locations of NAVSPASUR ......................................................................... 288
Table 69: Receiver locations of NAVSPASUR .............................................................................. 289
Table 70: INMARSAT NCS frequencies ........................................................................................ 292
Table 71: INMARSAT modulation overview ................................................................................. 300
Table 72: INMARSAT TDM channel details ................................................................................. 301
Table 73: INMARSAT bit structure of the signalling channel ....................................................... 301
Table 74: Possible subscriber terminal uplink frequencies........................................................... 315
Table 75: Logical channels in Thuraya that are common to GSM ............................................... 319
Table 76: International callsigns .................................................................................................. 326
Table 77: Country codes ............................................................................................................... 330
Table 78: Translation of a four digit number ................................................................................ 331
Table 79: Translation of a five digit number ................................................................................. 332
Table 80: Coast station identification numbers by blocks and countries ...................................... 334
Table 81: Allocation of MID's ....................................................................................................... 339
Table 82: Q-codes ......................................................................................................................... 360
Table 83: X-codes .......................................................................................................................... 361
Table 84: Z-codes .......................................................................................................................... 370
Table 85: Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 378
22
3.
General
The Technical Handbook for Radio Monitoring HF is meanwhile well known and used by many
radio listeners (official or private) worldwide.
Due to the high amount of systems we decided to separate the description of signals in the
VHF/UHF range from those heard on HF.
This book has been written to help the listener in identifying the different modes or waveforms which
are active throughout the VHF/UHF band.
It will never be complete.
But it will give a good overview which techniques are state of the art today. It has to be mentioned
that most of the pictures are a result of the decoder HOKA CODE 300-32 and PROCITEC
PROCEED. For the wide band spectra we have used an AOR5000 with SDR-14 or PERSEUS on
the IF-frequency of 10.7 MHz.
This book is divided in four main parts:
Basic information about modulation

Waveforms used on VHF/UHF
Tables for Radio Monitoirng
Abbreviations and Index
The part basic information is giving an overview about common modulation techniques with a short
description and how they look like in the spectrum or phase plane display. This part also describes
standard expressions from the field of coding, error correction and so on which are often used in the
field of radio communication.
The following section describes most of the waveforms which can be heard on VHF and UHF.
The book is finished with some helpful tables taken from th HF edition, the abbreviation table and
index.
23
5.
VHF Modes
ACARS
Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) is a 2400 bps MSK packet-like
system used by Civilian Aircraft for onboard flight-deck computer interconnections into ground
stations. The centre frequency is on 1800 Hz and a shift of 1200 Hz is used. It is a NRZI coded
coherent audio frequency MSK and an AM carrier to use standard AM communication equipment.
The spectrum and sonagram of ACARS is shown in the following pictures:
Picture 52: Spectrum of ACARS
Picture 53: Sonagram of ACARS packets
101
ACARS is mainly transmitted in the VHF range. The following frequencies are assigned to ACARS:
Frequency in
MHz
Mode
Used in:
129.125
ACARS
Additional channel for USA &

Canada
130.025
ACARS
Secondary channel for USA and

Canada
130.425
ACARS
Additional channel for USA
130.450
ACARS
Additional channel for USA &

Canada
131.125
ACARS
131.450
ACARS
Primary channel for Japan
131.475
ACARS
Air Canada company channel
131.525
ACARS
European Channel
131.550
ACARS
Primary Channel for USA and

Canada
Also Primary Channel for Australia
131.725
ACARS
Primary channel in Europe
131.825
ACARS
Additional European Channel
131.850
ACARS
136.700
ACARS
136.725
VDL4
136,750
ACARS
136.775
VDL4
136.800
ACARS
136.825
ACARS
European Channel
European Channel
European Channel
102
Frequency in
MHz
Mode
Used in:
ARINC
VDL2
136.850
ACARS
SITA North American Channel
136.875
VDL2
136.900.
ACARS
SITA
136.925
ACARS
ARINC
ARINC European Channel
136.950
Exp VDL4
European Channel
136.975
VDL2
European Channel
European Channel
Table 14: Main ACARS frequencies

As with all high-speed MSK systems, subsequent demodulation is very sensitive to inter-symbol
interference.
Each message frame consists of at least 50, and up to a maximum of 272 characters or bytes. Each
character uses a 7 bit ACSII code with an additional eighth parity bit. This results in a total message
transmission duration of between 0.17 and 0.91 seconds.
The message frame format is rigidly defined to include synchronization, address, acknowledgment,
mode and error checking characters, in addition to the actual message text. Imbedded message
label characters indicate the type of message. The exact message format is shown below.
Number of
Characters
16
2
2
1
1
7
1
2
1
1
4
6
210
Purpose
Comment
Pre-key
Bit sync
Character sync
SOH
Mode
Address
Ack/Nak
Label
Block ID
STX
Sequence#
Flight number
Text
Transmitter warm-up/Rx AGC adjustment

Establish bit synchronisation
Establish character synch
Indicate start of heading
Ground system interface configuration
Aircraft registration number
Acknowledge/non-acknowledge marker
Type of message
Message block number
Indicates start of message text
Message sequence number
Airline flight number
Message text
103
Number of
Characters
1
16
1
Purpose
Comment
ETX
Block Check Seq
BCS
End of text
Error detection polynomial value
Suffix last character
Table 15: ACARS message format

The sixteen pre-key characters are all binary 1 values, resulting in the 0.05 second 2400 Hz pulse
heard at the start of every message. The block check sequence field contains the value of an error
detection polynomial that can be used to determine if the entire message was received free of
errors.
104
ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, Squitter Mode
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) is a technology transmitting aircraft
information like position, airspeed, altitude aso. The waveform is a Pulse Position Modulation (PPM)
with a data rate of 1 MBps. In a PPM the pulse is transmitted in the first or second half of the bit
period indication a 1 or a 0.
There are two types of broadcast from an airplane: the short squitter and the extended squitter
(1090ES). The short squitter has a length of 56 Bits and is transmitted once per second.
Picture 54: Mode S short squitter frame

The extended squitter also transmits a 56 bit data field which contains additional information for the
ADS-B. The total frame length is 112 bit.
Picture 55: Mode S extended squitter frame
ADS-B is using the satellite based global positioning system to determine an aircraft's precise
location in space. The system then converts the position into a digital code, which is combined with
other information such as the type of aircraft, speed, flight number, and whether it's turning, climbing,
or descending. The digital code, containing all of this information, is updated several times a second
and broadcast from the aircraft on a discrete frequency as an extended squitter.
Other aircraft and ground stations within about 150 miles receive the data link broadcasts and can
display the information on a monitor. Pilots in the cockpit see the traffic on a Cockpit Display of
Traffic Information (CDTI). Controllers on the ground can see the ADS-B targets on their regular
traffic display screen, along with other radar targets.
ADS-B is usually transmitted on 1090 MHz in regulary intervals.
105
Picture 56: PPM of ADS-B
Picture 57: Framing of ADS-B
AIS
Automatic Information System for ships
The AIS transponder works on 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz in an autonomous and continuous
mode, regardless of whether it is operating in the open seas or coastal or inland areas.
Transmissions use 9.6 kb GMSK FM modulation using HDLC packet protocols. The data structure is
as follows and consists of 256 bit:
Picture 58: AIS frame
106
Function
Ramp up
Training sequence
Start Flag
Data
CRC/FCS
End Flag
Buffering
No of Bits
8
24
8
168
16
8
24
Description
Synchronisation
HDLC 0x7E
HDLC
HDLC 0x7E
Bit stuffing, distance delay, repeater
delay and jitter
Table 16: Data structure of AIS

These information are transmitted within one slot of 26.67 ms.
Picture 59: AIS spectrum and sonogram

Although only one radio channel is necessary, each station transmits and receives over two radio
channels to avoid interference problems, and to allow channels to be shifted without
communications loss from other ships. The system provides for automatic contention resolution
between itself and other stations, and communications integrity is maintained even in overload
situations.
Each station determines its own transmission schedule (slot), based upon data link traffic history and
knowledge of future actions by other stations. A position report from one AIS station fits into one of
2250 time slots established every 60 seconds. AIS stations continuously synchronize themselves to
each other, to avoid overlap of slot transmissions. Slot selection by an AIS station is randomized
within a defined interval, and tagged with a random timeout of between 0 and 8 frames. When a
station changes its slot assignment, it pre-announces both the new location and the timeout for that
location. In this way new stations, including those stations which suddenly come within radio range
close to other vessels, will always be received by those vessels.
The required ship reporting capacity according to the IMO performance standard amounts to a
minimum of 2000 time slots per minute, though the system provides 4500 time slots per minute. The
SOTDMA broadcast mode allows the system to be overloaded by 400 to 500% through sharing of
107
slots, and still provide nearly 100% throughput for ships closer than 8 to 10 NM to each other in a
ship to ship mode. In the event of system overload, only targets further away will be subject to dropout, in order to give preference to nearer targets that are a primary concern to ship operators. In
practice, the capacity of the system is nearly unlimited, allowing for a great number of ships to be
accommodated at the same time.
The system is backwards compatible with digital selective calling systems, allowing shore-based
GMDSS systems to inexpensively establish AIS operating channels and identify and track AISequipped vessels, and is intended to fully replace existing DSC-based transponder systems.
A Class A AIS unit broadcasts the following information every 2 to 10 seconds while underway, and
every 3 minutes while at anchor at a power level of 12.5 watts. The information broadcast includes:
MMSI number - unique referenceable identification

Navigation status (as defined by the COLREGS - not only are "at anchor" and "under way
using engine" currently defined, but "not under command" is also currently defined)
Rate of turn - right or left, 0 to 720 degrees per minute (input from rate-of-turn indicator)
Speed over ground - 1/10 knot resolution from 0 to 102 knots
Position accuracy - differential GPS or other and an indication if (Receiver Autonomous
Integrity Monitoring) RAIM processing is being used
Longitude - to 1/10000 minute and Latitude - to 1/10000 minute
Course over ground - relative to true north to 1/10th degree
True Heading - 0 to 359 degrees derived from gyro input
Time stamp - The universal time to nearest second that this information was generated
In addition, the Class A AIS unit broadcasts the following information every 6 minutes:
MMSI number - same unique identification used above, links the data above to described
vessel
IMO number - unique referenceable identification (related to ship's construction)
Radio call sign - international call sign assigned to vessel, often used on voice radio
Name - Name of ship, 20 characters are provided
Type of ship/cargo - there is a table of possibilities that are available
Dimensions of ship - to nearest meter
Location on ship where reference point for position reports is located
Type of position fixing device - various options from differential GPS to undefined
Draught of ship - 1/10 meter to 25.5 meters [note "air-draught" is not provided]
Destination - 20 characters are provided (at Master's discretion)
Estimated time of Arrival at destination - month, day, hour, and minute in UTC (at Master's
discretion)
Types of Automatic Identifications Systems

ITU-R Recommendation M.1371-1 describes the following types of AIS:
Class A
108
Shipborne mobile equipment intended for vessels meeting the requirements of IMO AIS carriage
requirement, and is described above.
Class B
Shipborne mobile equipment provides facilities not necessarily in full accord with IMO AIS carriage
requirements. IEC has begun work on a Class B certification standard, which should be completed
by 2004 - 2005. The Class B is nearly identical to the Class A, except the Class B:
Has a reporting rate less than a Class A (e.g. every 30 sec. when under 14 knots, as
opposed to every 10 sec. for Class A)
Does not transmit the vessels IMO number or call sign
Does not transmit ETA or destination
Does not transmit navigational status
Is only required to receive, not transmit, text safety messages
Is only required to receive, not transmit, application identifiers (binary messages)
Does not transmit rate of turn information
Does not transmit maximum present static draught
Class B devices are not yet available.

These 3 figure codes have been allocated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and
are used to denote the country of registration of a vessel or the location of a shore station using
DSC. Note that the numbers are issued on a geographic or regional basis. Large nations normally
have a vacant block after the main allocation - these vacant blocks are planned to be used for
expansion once the main allocation has been used.
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone System
Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) is the analogue mobile phone system standard developed
by Bell Labs, and officially introduced in the Americas in 1983 and Australia in 1987. It was the
primary analogue mobile phone system in North America (and other locales) through the 1980s and
into the 2000s. As of February 18, 2008, carriers in the United States were no longer required to
support AMPS and companies such as AT&T and Verizon have discontinued this service
permanently. AMPS was discontinued in Australia in September 2000.
AMPS is a first-generation cellular technology that uses separate frequencies for each conversation.
Each channel has a bandwidth of 30 kHz. In AMPS, the cell centers can flexibly assign channels to
handsets based on signal strength, allowing the same frequency to be re-used in various locations
without interference. This allowed a larger number of phones to be supported over a geographical
area.
109
DECT
Digital European Cordless Telephony
The Digital European Cordless Telephony (DECT) is a standard for the 1885 1900 MHz band and
has a modulation structure which is similar to GSM.
DECT is using a standard modulation of GFSK. But the DECT specification allows three other
modulation schemes: /2 DBPSK, /4-DQPSK and /8-D8PSK. While the first of these modulation
schemes is compatible with GFSK, the last two provide 2 and 4 times the data rate as GFSK. This
means that, combined with the high speed data profile, data rates of up to 2 Mbps can be achieved
using DECT. The spectrum of a DECT signal is shown in the following picture:
Picture 83: Spectrum of a DECT signal

DECT is using a TDD/TDMA structure with a total of 24 frames or time slots. Each frame has a
length of 10 ms. The first 12 frames or slots are allocated for the transmission from the base station
to the handset. The second part of 12 frames or slots are for the transmission from the handset to
the base station. The following pictures shows the this distribution:
Picture 84: Slot occupation of DECT

144
DECT is not assigning frequencies or slots to a special handset/base station. The channels are
dynamically allocated when setting up a call. But DECT is selecting the channel with the best quality
so during a conversation the connection may be transferred to another channel.
The DECT standard allows different slot types which may vary in length. Voice is always transmitted
in an unprotected slot with 320 bit of data. Speech is coded with 32 kbps ADPCM.
The framing is as follows:
Picture 85: Framing of DECT voice transmission
In addition to voice, DECT also offers several ways to transmit data using DPRS (DECT Packet
Radio Service). This consists of a series of profiles that each allow a particular data service. The
DECT data services use the protected B field, which consists of 256 data bits and 68 CRC bits. This
increased level of protection that any errors can be resolved using ARQ. Data services can use
more than one slot pair per connection, and can use these in symmetric or asymmetric mode. This
means that in theory at least, one portable can use 23 slots in one direction, and 1 slot in the reverse
direction.
DPMR
Digital Private Mobile Radio, dPMR446
DPMR is using a 4FSK with a symbol rate od 2400 bd which gives a data rate of 4800 bps. The shift
between carriers is 700 Hz. The access method is FDMA. For voice transmission the AMBE+2
vocoder is used. The codec rate is 3600 bps, 2450 bit are used for the voice and 1150 bit for error
correction. DPMR is using a TDMA with 30 ms frames.
The symbols are mapped according the following table on the four frequencies:
DiBit
01
00
10
11
Symbol
+1
+1
-1
-3
Frequency
Shift
+ 1050 Hz
+ 350 Hz
- 350 Hz
- 1050 Hz
Table 30: Frequency mapping DPMR
145
The typical spectrum and sonagram centered on 3125 Hz is shown in the following picture:
Picture 86: Spectrogram of DPMR
It can transfer voice and data. This could be i.e. GPS positions or text messaging.
DPMR is using a bandwith of 6.25 kHz. The maximum power is 500 mW.
DPMR radios are license-free for the use in the 446.100 MHz - 446.200 MHz band within Europe.
DPMR is supporting several modes for operation:
Mode
Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3
Descriptions
License-free (DPMR 446)
Direct Peer-to-peer Mode
Conventional Repeater Mode
Digital Trunking Mode
Table 31: Modes of DPMR
DPMR Mode 1
This is the peer to peer mode of DPMR. This mode can operate on all PMR frequency bands and
has no RF power limits of DPMR.
146
DPMR Mode 2
The mode 2 operations includes repeaters and other infrastructure.
DPMR Mode 3
This mode offers multichannel, multisite trunked radio networks. Management of the radio network
starts from the authentication of radios that wish to connect. Calls are set-up by the infrastructure
when both parties have responded to the call request. Calls may be diverted to other radios, landline
numbers or IP addresses. The infrastructure managing these beacon channels would be capable to
placing a call to another radio whether that radio is using the same site or another site within the
network.
DPMR Framing
DPMR is using a TDMA structure with 2 slots. The general timing for the base station and a mobile
station is shown in the next figure.
Picture 87: DPMR TDMA structure

Each TDMA burst has a length of 30 ms. Two bursts are forming a TDMA frame of 60 ms. The base
station is transmitting a Common Announcement Channel (CACH) between the TDMA bursts. The
mobile station is using a guard time between the burst to allow an amplifier ramping and propagation
delay. Bursts have either a synchronization pattern or an embedded signalling field located in the
center of the burst. Placing the embedded signalling in the middle of a burst allows time for a
transmitting MS to optionally transition to the outbound channel and recover Reverse Channel (RC)
information.
147
DPMR Burst Structure

The generic burst structure consists of two 108-bit payload fields and a 48-bit synchronization or
signalling field as shown in the next figure.
Picture 88: DPMR generic burst structure

Each burst has a total length of 30 ms but 27,5 ms are used for the 264 bits content, which is
sufficient to carry 60 ms of compressed speech, using 216 bits payload. For a vocoder that uses 20
ms vocoder frames, the burst will carry three 72-bit vocoder frames (including FEC) plus a 48-bit
synchronization word in a voice burst, that is 264 bits (27,5 ms) used for the burst contents. The
center of each burst has a field that carries either synchronization or embedded signalling. This field
is placed in the middle of a burst to support RC signaling. On the inbound channel, the remaining 2,5
ms is used for guard time to allow for PA ramping and propagation delay, as shown in the next
picture for an inbound frame.
Picture 89: DPMR TDMA frame mobile station

On the outbound channel, this 2,5 ms is used for a Common Announcement Channel (CACH) that
carries TDMA frame numbering, channel access indicators, and low speed signalling as shown in
the next figure for an outbound frame.
148
Picture 90: DPMR TDMA frame base station

The frame synchchronisation (SYNC) is provided by a special sequence of bits that mark the
location of the center of a TDMA burst. Receivers may use a matched filter to achieve initial
synchronization, using the output of a matched correlator to initialize the symbol recovery
parameters to compensate for frequency and deviation errors as well as determine the center of the
burst. Once the receiver is synchronized to a channel, it may use pattern matching to detect the
presence of SYNC to verify that the channel is still present and determine the type of SYNC to
identify the contents of the burst. Multiple SYNC patterns are used to:
differentiate voice bursts from data/control bursts and from RC bursts;

differentiate inbound channels from outbound channels.
To accomplish this, the following SYNC patterns have been defined:
BS sourced voice;
BS sourced data;
MS sourced voice;
MS sourced data;
MS sourced standalone RC.
For all two frequency BS channel inbound transmissions and all single frequency channel
transmissions, the first burst shall contain a synchronization pattern to allow the target receiver to
detect the presence of the signal, achieve bit synchronization, and determine the center of the burst.
Follow-on bursts contain either SYNC or embedded signaling depending on the burst type and the
context.
For all two frequency BS channel outbound transmissions, it is assumed that the MS is already
synchronized to the outbound channel well before the start of any transmissions directed towards it.
Therefore, there is no requirement that the voice header shall contain a synchronization pattern.
149
Picture 171: Principle of FLASH-OFDM

The spectrum of this modulation is shown in the following picture:
Picture 172: Spectrogram of Railnet

This hopping pattern ensures that users within the same cell are allocated orthogonal resources but
use a different subcarrier every symbol duration in downlink and every 7 symbol durations
in uplink direction. So the users within a cell do not interfere with each other. In FLASH-OFDM 113
carriers with a spacing of 11.25 kHz are used. The symbol rate is 10 KBd. The overall bandwidth is
242
1.25 MHz and allows a downlink of 3.2 MBps and an upload of 900 kBps. The modulation in the
downlink is QPSK, 16QAM, 64 QAM or 256 QAM. In the uplink only QPSK is used.
For a Forward error Correction FEC a vector-LDPC codes with a block length from 1344 to 5248 is
used in the downlink. For the uplink the block length is 1344.
In the uplink FLASH-OFDM uses a turbo equalization on a set of 7 QPSK symbols on 7 contiguous
OFDM symbols where the 1 symbol is a reference/pilot symbol.
FLASH-OFDM provides high reliability through a link layer that features a fast automatic repeat
request (ARQ), which is used to check transmitted data for errors. If an error is found, the message
is retransmitted very quickly. Therefore, with loop times at less than 10 milliseconds, FLASH-OFDM
ARQ latency is very low. This enables low-latency retransmission of frames received with an error.
FLASH-OFDM operates in different frequencies like 450MHz, 700MHz, 800MHz, 1.9GHz and
2.1GHz.
RD-LAP
Radio Data Link Access Protocol
RD-LAP is a protocol used i.e. in ARDIS and is using a 4FSK with a shift of 2400 Hz between
carriers. The signal is using discrete frequencies of -3600 Hz, -1200 Hz, +1200 Hz and 3600 Hz on
the nominal transmission frequency. RD-LAP has a data rate of 19200 Bps and uses FEC and
CRC for error correction.
The following pictures shows the spectrum and sonagram of a 4FSK used in RD-LAP:
Picture 173: Spectrum and sonagram of a 4FSK used in RD-LAP
243
The frame structure in RD-LAP mode consists of a frame preamble (comprising a 24-symbol frame
synchronisation pattern and station ID block) followed by one or more'Header blocks, one or more
'Intermediate blocks and a 'Last block. Channel status (S) symbols are included at regular intervals.
The first frame of any transmission is preceded by a symbol synchronisation pattern.
The framing for the RD-LAP mode is shown in the following picture:
Picture 174: Framing of RD-LAP
RDS/RBDS
Radio Data System, Radio Broadcast Data System
Radio Data System (RDS) is a communications protocol standard from the European Broadcasting
Union (EBU) for sending digital information using conventional FM radio broadcasts. The RDS
system standardises several types of information transmitted, including time, track/artist info and
station identification. RDS is a standard in Europe and Latin America since the early 1990s.
Radio Broadcast Data System (RDBS) is the official name used for the U.S. version of RDS. The
two standards are nearly identical. Slight differences are mainly which numbers are assigned to each
of the 31 musical and other program formats the RBDS system can identify. RBDS was approved by
the NRSC.
RDS and RDBS use a 57kHz subcarrier to carry data at 1187.5 bits per second. The 57 kHz was
chosen for being the third harmonic of the pilot tone for FM stereo. This will not cause interference or
intermodulation with the pilot tone or with the stereo difference signal at 38 kHz. The data format
allows forward error correction (FEC).
244
Picture 175: Spectrum of FM broadcast carrier
Picture 176: Spectrum of a RDS signal within a WFM signal

RDS is modulated on the subcarrier with a QPSK waveform with a data rate of 1187.5 Bps. This is
equal to the frequency of the RDS subcarrier divided by 48.
Data is transmitted in groups consisting of four blocks. Each block contains a 16 bit information word
and a 10 bit check word as shown in the next picture. This means that with the data rate of 1187.5
bit per second approximately 11.4 groups can be transmitted each second.
The data groups are structured so that data can be transmitted as efficiently as possible. Different
stations will want to transmit different types of data at different times. To cater for this there are a 16
different group structures.
Mixing of different types of data within groups is kept to a minimum. However the coding structure is
such that messages which need repeating most frequently normally occupy the same position within
groups. For example the first block in a group always contains the PI code and PTY and TP are to
be found in block 2.
245
Picture 177: RDS data structure
RDS data structure

In order that a radio knows how to decode the data correctly, each type of group has to be identified.
This function is performed by a four bit code occupying the first four bits in the second block.
Once generated the data is coded onto the subcarrier in a differential format. This allows the data to
be decoded correctly whether the signal is inverted or not. When the input data level is "0" the output
remains unchanged but when a "1" appears at the input the output changes its state.
With the basic signal generated the spectrum has to be carefully limited. This has to be done to
avoid any cross talk in phase locked loop decoders. The power density close to 57 kHz is limited by
the encoding each bit as a biphase signal. In addition to this the coded data is passed through a low
pass filter.
The following information fields are normally contained in the RDS data:
Alternative Frequencies (AF)
This enables a receiver to re-tune to a different frequency providing the same station when the first
signal becomes too weak. This is often utilised in car stereo systems.
Clock Time (CT)
This time can synchronise a clock in the receiver or the main clock in a car. CT can only be accurate
to within 100 ms of UTC.
Enhanced Other Networks (EON)

Allows the receiver to monitor other networks or stations for traffic programmes, and automatically
temporarily tune to that station.
Programme Identification (PI)
246
This is the unique code which identifies the station. Each station receives a specific code with a
country prefix. In the USA, PI is determined by applying a formula to the station's call sign.
Programme Service (PS)
The programme service is an eight-character static display that represents the call letters or station
identity name. Most RDS capable receivers display this information and, if the station is stored in the
receiver's presets, will cache this information with the frequency and other details associated with
that preset.
Programme Type (PTY)
This coding of up to 31 pre-defined programme types e.g. (in Europe): PTY1 News, PTY6 Drama,
PTY11 Rock music, allows users to find similar programming by genre. PTY31 seems to be
reserved for emergency announcements in the event of natural disasters or other major calamities.
Regional (REG)
This is used in countries where national broadcasters run "region-specific" programming such as
regional opt-outs on some of their transmitters. This functionality allows the user to "lock-down" the
set to their current region or let the radio tune into other region-specific programming as they move
into the other region.
Radio Text (RT)
This function allows a radio station to transmit a 64-character free-form textual information that can
be either static e.g. station slogans or in sync with the programming such as the title and artist of the
currently-playing song.
Traffic Announcement(TA), Traffic Programme(TP)
The receiver can often be set to pay special attention to this flag and e.g. stop the tape/pause the
CD or retune to receive a Traffic bulletin. The TP flag is used to allow the user to find only those
stations that regularly broadcast traffic bulletins whereas the TA flag is used to stop the tape or raise
the volume during a traffic bulletin.
Traffic Message Channel (TMC)
Digitally encoded traffic information. Not all RDS equipments supports this. Often available for
Automotive navigation systems. In many countries only encrypted data is broadcast, and so a
subscription and appropriate decoder is required to use.
The following table lists the RDS and RBDS Programm Type codes and their meanings:
PTY code
0
1
2
3
RDS Programme type (EU)

No programme type or undefined
News
Current affairs
Information
247
RBDS Programm type (USA)

No program type or undefined
News
Information
Sports
PTY code
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
RDS Programme type (EU)

Sport
Education
Drama
Culture
Science
Varied
Pop Music
Rock Music
M.O.R. Music
Light classical
Serious classical
Other Music
Weather
Finance
Childrens programmes
Social Affairs
Religion
Phone In
Travel
Leisure
Jazz Music
Country Music
National Music
Oldies Music
Folk Music
Documentary
Alarm Test
Alarm
Table 59: RDS and RBDS program types
248
RBDS Programm type (USA)

Talk
Rock
Classic Rock
Adult Hits
Soft Rock
Top 40
Country
Oldies
Soft
Nostalgia
Jazz
Classical
Rhythm and Blues
Soft Rhythm and Blues
Language
Religious Music
Religious Talk
Personality
Public
College
Unassigned
Unassigned
Unassigned
Unassigned
Unassigned
Weather
Emergency Test
Emergency
Harris RF 7800V
FALCON III
The RF-7800V Combat Net Radio provides continuous coverage in the 30 to 108 MHz frequency
band. It is supporting analogue FM, voice transmission with 2400 Bd MELP, secure voice and data
with 16 kbd FSK and up to 192 kbps data transmission. For encryption the CITADEL chipset with a
128 bit key is used. During hopping the datarate per hop can be measured with 20 kbd.
The radio also offers several frequency hopping waveforms Quicklook 1A, Quicklook 2, Quicklook 3
and Quicklook-Wide.
Quicklook-Wide provides 64 kilobits per second of data throughput while frequency hopping.
The following pictures are showing the typical spectrum for a 2400 Bd MELP transmission with
8PSK and the phase constellation.
Picture 178: Spectrum of 2400 Bd MELP signal
Picture 179: Phase constellation of 2400 Bd MELP signal
249
METEOR RADAR
A METEOR RADAR is transmitting short electromagnetic circumpolarly pulses towards the sky. If a
meteor strikes Earth's atmosphere at speeds of 100,000 mph or more they ionize the air in their
path. These luminous ionized trails reflect radio waves. The meteor echo is received by a reception
antenna system and is interferometrically analysed, thus estimating the location, the echo amplitude,
and the radial velocity of the ionisation trace moving with the neutral wind. From many of such
individual observations i.e. the wind field for an altitude range between about 80 and 110 km can be
estimated.
The follwoing pictures where made by receiving the METEOR RADAR at Juliusruh and
Khlungsborn in Northeast Germany. These radars are transmitting on 32.55 MHz and 53.5 MHz.
There peak power is 12 KW. The puls width is 13.3 us.
Picture 211: Spectrogram of a METEOR RADAR at Juliusruh on 53.5 MHz
2150 Hz
Picture 212: Spectrum of the pulses

287
Calculating with the frequency distance between two pulse the pulse repetition time is 456 us.
In case of rectangle pulses the pulse width has a direct relation to the shape of the spectrum. By
measuring the distance between the center of the signal and the first side minimum the pulse time
can be estimated.
Picture 213: Pulse width measurement

The frequency distance is 75093 Hz with results in a pulse time of 13.3 us.
NAVSPASUR
The Air Force Space Surveillance System, also known as the Space Fence, is a multistatic radar
system that detects orbital objects passing over the US. It is a component of the US space
surveillance network, and is claimed to be able to detect objects as small as 10 cm) at a height up
to 30000 km. The headquarter of the surveillance system is located at Dahlgren, Virginia.
There are three transmitter sites in the system:
Location
Lake Kickapoo, Texas
Gila River, Arizona
Jordan Lake, Alabama
Frequency
216.983 MHz
216.970 MHz
216.990 MHz
Coordinate
333247N 984546W
330632N 1120145W
323933N 861552W
Table 68: Transmitter locations of NAVSPASUR

The master transmitter is located at Lake Kickapoo and has a CW radiated power of 768 kW.
There are 6 receiving stations:
Location
Tattnall, Georgia
Hawkinsville, Georgia
Silver Lake, Mississippi
Coordinate
320235N 815521W
321720N 833210W
330842N 910116W
288
Red River, Arkansas

Elephant Butte, New Mexico
San Diego, California
331948N 933301W
332635N 1065950W
323442N 1165811W
Table 69: Receiver locations of NAVSPASUR

A typical reception of an object like a meteor is shown in the following sonagram:
Picture 214: Meteor reception of the NAVSPASUR
289
290
7.
Satellites
COSPAS-SARSAT
The international COSPAS-SARSAT programme is a satellite-based search and rescue (SAR)

distress alert detection and information distribution system, established in 1979.
COSPAS () is an acronym for the Russian words "Cosmicheskaya Sistema Poiska
Avariynyh Sudov" ( ), which translates to "Space
System for the Search of Vessels in Distress". SARSAT is an acronym for Search And Rescue
Satellite-Aided Tracking.
The system can detect and locate emergency beacons activated by aircraft or ships. These beacons
are transmitting in the 406 MHz range. They are the only ones detected and processed by the
system. Signals from the older 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz beacons are not recognized anymore.
The space segment of the COSPAS-SARSAT system consists of SAR signal repeaters (SARR) and
SAR signal processors (SARP) aboard satellites:
9 geosynchronous satellites called GEOSARs and

6 low-earth polar orbit satellites LEOSAR
A SARR/SARP instrument is a small package, that typically is attached to a satellite that is being
launched primarily for another purpose.
The six operational LEOSAR satellites (with both SARR and SARP instruments) are the SARSAT
satellites provided by the United States NOAA and Europe's EUMETSAT. These orbit at an altitude
of approximately 850 km. They are:
SARSAT -7 instruments aboard NOAA-15

SARSAT -11 instruments aboard METOP-A
The GEOSAR satellites provide continuous coverage of the entire earth below about 70 degrees
latitude with a view toward the equatorial sky.
Operational SARR are installed on the following six GEOSAR satellites providing continuous
coverage of the entire earth below about 70 degrees latitude with a view toward the equatorial sky:
The GOES satellites (USA) GOES 13 at 75 W and GOES 15 at 135 W

The INSAT-3A satellite (India) at 93.5 E
The Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites (Europe) MSG-1 (also known as
Meteosat-8) at 9.5 E and MSG-2 (also known as Meteosat-9) fixed over the Prime
Meridian.
291
The Electro-L No. 1 satellite (Russia) at 76 E.
SARR undergoing testing or in a role as an on-orbit spare are installed on the following
geostationary satellites:
The GOES satellites (USA) GOES 12 at 60 W and GOES 14 at 105 W

Luch 5A (Russia) at 167 E.
MSG-3 (EUMETSAT) at 3.4 W.
Typical rescue beacon radios transmit a 5 watt signal for 0.5 second once every 50 seconds.
Normally they include a GPS receiver so they can report precise GPS co-ordinates. Aircraft distress
radio beacons (ELTs) are automatically activated by g-force switches that detect sudden
deceleration during a crash, while maritime radio beacons (EPIRBs) are normally activated by
contact with sea water.
The 406 MHz distress radio beacon band is 100 kHz wide. The center frequency is 406.05 MHz.
Individual beacons transmit in assigned 3 kHz channels. A transmitted distress message is either a
112-bit "short" message or a 144-bit "long" message, both including 49 bits of identification
information. If the beacon has a GNSS receiver or position information derived from another local
source (such as ship navigation equipment), then that information also is encoded in the transmitted
distress message.
The SARR instrument is transmitting the received signals on 1544.5 MHz.
INMARSAT
International Maritime Satellite Organization
The INMARSAT system consists of four regions with one satellite for each region according to the
following table:
Satellite
AOR-E
IOR
POR
AOR-W
Position
15.5W
64 W
178E
53W
Region
Atlantic Ocean Region East
Indian Ocean Region
Pacific Ocean Region
Atlantic Ocean Region West
NCS Frequency
1541.45 MHz
1537.10 MHz
1541.45 MHz
1537.70 MHz
Table 70: INMARSAT NCS frequencies

All mobile stations (MES) listen in idle mode to the Network Control Station (NCS) common TDM
channel which carries signalling information. When a mobile station identifies its id in a signalling
frame it will re-act to the commands received from the NCS. In case of a channel assignment
message is received it will tune to the assigned transmit-receive frequency pair. The forward telex
traffic channel is also TDM with the same frame structure as the NCS TDM containing 22 time slots
of 50 Bd telex channels. The telex return channel is a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
channel. Voice traffic is FM SCPC (Single Channel Per Carrier). Telex channels are assigned by
each earth station and voice channels only by the NCS.
292
INMARSAT-A
INMARSAT-A was the first service to be introduced, becoming commercially available in 1982. An
analogue system, it provides two-way direct-dial phone, fax, telex and electronic mail and data
communications at rates of up to 9.6 kilobits per second (kbit/s). Later models make possible highspeed data communications at 56/64 kbit/s. Due to the large size and weight of the INMARSAT-A
antenna INMARSAT-A MESs are fitted only on larger ships.
The INMARSAT standard A terminals are grouped into various classes according to their
capabilities. These are:
1.
2.
3.
Class 1 - Standard A ship earth station usable for both telegraph and telephone type traffic.
Class 2 - Standard A ship earth station usable for telephone type traffic and reception of
shore-to-ship one way telegraphy.
Class 3 - Standard A ship earth station usable for telegraph only traffic.
The forward channel from the NCS is a TDM with 1200 Bd BPSK modulated. For telex traffic also a
TDM with 22 * 50 Bd channels is used. For voice traffic in both directions the signal is FM SCPC
modulated. The return channel from the Mobile Earth Station (MES) is a 4800 Bd TDMA DBPSK.
INMARSAT Aero H
INMARSAT Aero H service offers voice, fax and data communications from almost anywhere in the
sky supporting voice, fax, data and STU-III transmissions at data rates up to 9.6 kbps, 4.8 kbps and
2.4 kbps.
INMARSAT Aero H+
INMARSAT Aero H+ offers voice transmissions at 4.8 kbps, fax at 2.4 kbps and real-time PC
modem-based data at 2.4 kbps. In addition, Aero H+ offers cockpit data at speeds up to 1.2 kbps.
INMARSAT Aero I
INMARSAT Aero I service offers digital voice transmission at 4.8 kbps, fax at 2.4 kbps, real-time
data at 2.4 kbps and cockpit data at up to 1.2 kbps.
INMARSAT Aero L
INMARSAT Aero L service operates in the INMARSAT global beams and provides aircraft with realtime, low-speed, two-way data communications capability. Aero L is a packet data service designed
primarily for aircraft operators who require a highly reliable data communications capability.
293
INMARSAT Aero Mini-M

INMARSAT Aero Mini-M service offers digital voice, fax and data transmission. The service supports
voice transmission up to 4.8 kbps and data or fax transmission up to 2.4 kbps.
INMARSAT-B
The INMARSAT-B system was introduced in 1994 and uses digital technology to provide high quality
telephone, fax, telex, e-mail and data communications, with the antenna size and weight being
approximately the same as for INMARSAT-A. Like INMARSAT-A, INMARSAT-B is capable of highspeed data communications (at up to 64 kbps), making it especially suitable for data-intensive users
such as oil and seismological companies which need to exchange large amounts of data on a
regular basis.
The communications sub-system is based on the use of digital modulation, coding and processing
techniques which have been designed to permit efficiency. Filtered quadrature phase shift keying
modulation is used on shore to ship carriers with convolutional forward error correction. Ship to
shore uses offset QPSK with FEC also. The speech method used for telephony is 16Kbit/s adaptive
predictive coding. Other communications services include 56/64Kbit/s data. The APC voice coded is
supporting fax up to 2400bit/s.
The forward channel from NCS or LES to the MES are 6 kbps TDM DPSK, 24 kbps OQPSK for
voice and low speed data and 132 kbps OQPSK for high speed data. The return channel uses a 24
kbps TDMA OQPSK modulated.
INMARSAT-C
INMARSAT-C was introduced in 1991 to complement INMARSAT-A by providing a global low cost
two-way data communications network using a small terminal that could be fitted on either a large or
small vessel. Its compactness makes it especially suitable for smaller vessels such as yachts,
fishing vessels or supply craft. The INMARSAT-C system does not provide voice communications
but is a means of sending text, data and e-mail messages to and from shore-based subscribers
using a store-and-forward technique. This requires the user to prepare the message prior to sending
it; it is then transmitted via the land earth station operator who sends it on to its intended destination.
The global communications capability of the INMARSAT-C system, combined with its Maritime
Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts and distress-alerting capabilities, has resulted in the
INMARSAT-C system being accepted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as meeting
the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The GMDSS
carriage requirements are mandatory for all merchant ships of over 300 Gross Registered Tonnes
(GRT) and all passenger vessels which make international voyages.
The following picture shows a typically spectrum of the INMARSAT satellite:
294
Picture 215: Spectrum of INMARSAT satellite
Picture 216: Spectrum of active earth stations on INMARSAT

The data rate is 1200 symbols per second modulated in BPSK. This results in a bit rate of 600 Bit/s.
Error protection is done by convolutional encoding with R = 1/2 and k = 7. A block or frame of data in
the forward direction comprises 10368 symbols (8,64 s). Data is highly interleaved to prevent against
295
slow fading. Additionally scrambling is used to ensure an even distribution of logical 1s and 0s for
proper bit synchronization. Frame synchronisation is achieved by using an unscrambled unique word
at the beginning of the frame. The coding will correct some errors otherwise ARQ is used.
The forward channels are continuous time division multiplex (TDM) channels. They are used for
message transmission and signalling.
In the return direction messages are transmitted by time division multiple access (TDMA) channels
assigned by the network control station (NCS). The frame length varies between 2176 symbols and
10368 symbols in steps of 2048 symbols.
Picture 217: Spectrum of INMARSAT-C 1200 Bd TDMA
Picture 218: Phase plane of INMARSAT-C 1200 Bd BPSK TDMA

INMARSAT Mini-C
INMARSAT Mini-C service is an evolution of the existing INMARSAT C technology, combining a
transceiver and antenna in one light and compact unit., with the added benefit of a significantly
reduced level of power consumption The service offers e-mail, position reporting and polling, fax,
telex, short-code addressing and mobile-to-mobile messaging services.
INMARSAT D
296

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Technical Handbook

Dipl.- Ing. Roland Prsch

Books on Demand GmbH

Description of modulation techniques

Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek

2013 Dipl.- Ing. Roland Prsch, Dipl.- Inf. Aikaterini Daskalaki-Prsch

Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

Description of modulation states

Bit Rate, Symbol Rate, Baud Rate

Used code tables

Frequency-division multiple access (FDMA)

The OSI Reference Model

Digital Standard CT2+

TABLES FOR RADIO MONITORING

Allocation of International Call Signs

Alphabetical List of Country Codes

Allocation of Maritime Identification Digits

Weather Forecast (TAF and METAR)

Picture 1: Different AM waveforms ................................................................................................. 25

Picture 44: Quantization in a PCM ................................................................................................. 54

Picture 89: DPMR TDMA frame mobile station............................................................................ 148

Picture 225: Spectrum of the STEREO telemetry .......................................................................... 316

Table 1: C4FM symbol table ........................................................................................................... 36

Table 43: GMRS frequencies duplex ............................................................................................. 179

Basic information about modulation

Picture 52: Spectrum of ACARS

Picture 53: Sonagram of ACARS packets

Additional channel for USA &

Secondary channel for USA and

Additional channel for USA

Additional channel for USA &

Additional channel for USA

Primary channel for Japan

Air Canada company channel

Primary Channel for USA and

Primary channel in Europe

Additional European Channel

Additional European Channel

Additional channel for USA

Additional channel for USA

SITA North American Channel

Additional European Channel

ARINC European Channel

Table 14: Main ACARS frequencies

Transmitter warm-up/Rx AGC adjustment

Table 15: ACARS message format

Picture 54: Mode S short squitter frame

Picture 55: Mode S extended squitter frame

Picture 56: PPM of ADS-B

Picture 57: Framing of ADS-B

Picture 58: AIS frame

Table 16: Data structure of AIS

Picture 59: AIS spectrum and sonogram

MMSI number - unique referenceable identification

Types of Automatic Identifications Systems

Class B devices are not yet available.

Picture 83: Spectrum of a DECT signal

Picture 84: Slot occupation of DECT

Picture 85: Framing of DECT voice transmission