An Improved MFSK Signal Detection Algorithm for Mars Probe Entry, Descent, Landing Phase

To solve the high computational complexity problem of carrier recovery enhancement for Maximum-Likelihood Doppler shift estimation algorithm (CRE-ML), the relationship between four searching dimensions and carrier recovery enhancement is analyzed. A time-domain matching-average periodogram algorithm based on 4-dimensions searching (4D-TDMAP) is proposed which decreases the algorithm complexity by reducing the Doppler rate matching accuracy requirement. Simulations are performed when the maximum Doppler frequency is 50 kHz, Doppler frequency rate varies from −1000 to 1000 Hz/s, which refers to the high dynamics during the EDL stage of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The results show the proposed algorithm reaches the same performance as the CRE-ML does with its computational complexity decreased to 0.26%, and its MFSK signal detection threshold decreased by up to 3 dB compared with traditional time-domain matching-average periodogram algorithm.

[1]  Edgar Satorius,et al.  Direct-to-Earth Communications and Signal Processing for Mars Exploration Rover Entry, Descent, and Landing , 2003 .

[2]  Ravi Prakash,et al.  Verification and Validation of the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover Entry, Descent, and Landing System , 2014 .

[3]  R. Mukai,et al.  Direct-to-Earth communications with Mars Science Laboratory during Entry, Descent, and Landing , 2013, 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[4]  Hou Yi.  A Low-complexity Coarse Carrier Acquisition Algorithm for Signals with Extremely Low Signal Noise Ratio and High Dynamics , 2013 .

[5]  Allen Chen,et al.  Telecommunications Performance During Entry, Descent, and Landing of the Mars Science Laboratory , 2014 .

[6]  Gerard Ledwich,et al.  A computationally efficient technique for estimating the parameters of polynomial-phase signals from noisy observations , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing.

[7]  Pan Xi.  ALE-FFT algorithms for weak signal acquisition , 2010, 2010 International Symposium on Intelligent Signal Processing and Communication Systems.

[8]  Pooi Yuen Kam,et al.  Improved, Approximate, Time-Domain ML Estimators of Chirp Signal Parameters and Their Performance Analysis , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing.

[9]  Ali H. Sayed,et al.  Carrier Recovery Enhancement for Maximum-Likelihood Doppler Shift Estimation in Mars Exploration Missions , 2008, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing.

[10]  D. Fort,et al.  Spacecraft-to-earth communications for Juno and Mars Science Laboratory critical events , 2012, 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[11]  S. Hinedi,et al.  Frequency estimation techniques for high dynamic trajectories , 1989 .