Waveform design solutions for EHF broadband satellite communications

The problematic RF environment experienced by broadband satellite communications at EHF frequency bands, in particular Q/W bands, call for the use of novel waveforms. This paper presents a detailed comparison of several waveforms in presence of nonlinear distortions and typical values of phase noise introduced at Q/W band. Two main types of waveforms have been compared: Constant Envelope multicarrier waveforms (CE-OFDM and CE-SCFDMA) and single carrier impulse-based waveforms (TH-UWB, DS-UWB and PSWF-based PSM). This comparison will allow to draw some practical guidelines for the waveforms design of EHF broadband satellite communications.