Signalling efficiency modelling and measurement of simplex block encoded MBC systems

A theoretical technique is developed to estimate the signalling efficiency of a meteor burst communications (MBC) system which uses a block encoded simplex protocol over underdense trails. The signalling efficiency is determined for various information block durations and compared to experimental results from the BLOSSOM (beyond line of sight signalling over meteors) MBC system, which could vary its information block duration. Although the general shape of both the theoretical and experimental results are similar there are detailed differences. Reasons for these discrepancies are suggested.