Performance simulation and comparision in High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) communications systems under PSK, DPSK, QAM & FSK modulation schemes and AWGN, Rician & Rayleigh communication channels

This paper contemplates the examination by simulation of a digital narrow-band communication system for a situation which incorporates of a High-Altitude aeronautical/ spacecraft Platform generally known as (HAP) and fixed/ mobile terrestrial transceivers under different modulation schemes and different communication channels. The aeronautical channel is designed considering geometrical (angle of elevation vs. horizontal distance of the terrestrial reflectors) and statistical arguments. Following these conditions, a serial concatenated coded digital transmission is scrutinized for some presumptions related to radio-electric coverage areas. Various flaws that can influence the signal strength are investigated in this specific case. We have investigated this case under most common digital modulation schemes which are PSK, DPSK, QAM and FSK and three basic channel types to design the aeronautical channel. To evaluate the channels performance, we used Specific Bit Error Rate (BER) against Signal to Noise ratio per bit (Eb/No). The outcomes show a good feasibility for the proposed and analyzed communication system.