Study on Array Signal Processing for Deep Space Communications

In this paper, analysis and simulations are presented to show that using array antennas in deep space communication can increase the signal collecting aperture and enable beam forming, array received signal model is build, and multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm introduced to increase suppression of interference is implemented on a simulated array system. Simulation demonstrates that the MUSIC algorithm is a strong candidate that can provide great angle separation, as well as interference suppression capability. To get optimal signal combining, several arraying combining algorithms are studied focusing on the very low received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) channel conditions that commonly found in deep space communications applications. According to simulation result, theoretically all discussed combining algorithms are recommended candidates to find the optimal combining weight coefficients that maximizes the combined SNR, but with the received signal SNR get lower, the combining preferment of algorithms will degrade. Simulation show SMI and LMS algorithm get lowest combining SNR loss, but Eigen and Sumple algorithm are blind combining procession, no need of reference or training signal.