Publication

Journal papers, Talks, Conference papers, Books, Technical notes

Search

Conference Paper

Bayesian Estimation of Altimeter Echo Parameters

Authors: Severini Jérôme, Mailhes Corinne, Thibaut Pierre and Tourneret Jean-Yves

in Proc. IEEE Int. Geosci. Remote Sens. Symp. (IGARSS), Boston, USA, July 6-11, 2008.

This paper studies a Bayesian algorithm for estimating the parameters associated to Brown's model. The joint posterior distribution of the unknown parameter vector (amplitude, epoch and significant wave height) associated with this model is derived. This posterior is too complex to obtain closed form expressions of the minimum mean square error and the maximum a posteriori estimators. We propose to sample according to this distribution using an hybrid Metropolis within Gibbs algorithm. The simulated samples are then used to estimate the unknown parameters of Brown's model. The proposed strategy provides better estimations than the standard maximum likelihood estimator at the price of an increased computational cost.

Read more

Signal and image processing / Earth observation

New Quality Representation for Hyperspectral Images

Authors: Christophe Emmanuel, Leger Dominique and Mailhes Corinne

In Proc. Int. Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Beijing, China, July 3-11, 2008.

Download document

Assessing the quality of a hyperspectral image is a difficult task. However, this assessment is required at different levels of the instrument design: evaluation of the signal to noise ratio necessary for a particular application, determining the acceptable level of losses from compression algorithms for example. It has been shown previously that a combination of five quality criteria can provide a good evaluation of the impact of some degradation on applications, such as classification algorithms for example. This paper refines this concept, providing a representation of the degradation which allows predicting the impact on applications.

Read more

Signal and image processing / Earth observation

Patent

Procédé de protection d’un utilisateur de récepteur de radionavigation vis-à-vis de mesures de pseudo-distances aberrantes

Authors: Karouby Philippe, Macabiau Christophe, Paimblanc Philippe and Van Den Bossche Mathias

n° FR 2932277, June 2008, international extension in December 2009.

Read more

Signal and image processing and Digital communications / Localization and navigation

PhD Thesis

Algorithmes de Routage dans les Réseaux Mobile Ad hoc Tactique à Grande Echelle

Author: Canourgues Lucile

Defended in May 2008

Download document

The current Transformation of the military networks adopts the MANET as a main component of the tactical domain. Indeed, a MANET is the right solution to enable highly mobile, highly reactive and quickly deployable tactical networks. Many applications such as the Situational Awareness rely on group communications, underlying the need for a multicast service within the tactical environment where the MANET is employed as a transit network. The purpose of this thesis is to study the setting up of an optimal multicast service within this tactical environment. We firstly focus on defining the protocol architecture to carry out within the tactical network paying particular attention to the MANET. This network is interconnected with different types of networks based on IP technologies and implementing poten- tially heterogeneous multicast protocols. The tactical MANET is supposed to be made of several hundred of mobile nodes, which implies that the scalability is cru- cial in the multicast protocol architecture choice. Since the concept of clustering proposes interesting scalability features, we consider that the MANET is a clus- tered network. Thereby, we define two multicast routing protocols adapted to the MANET: firstly STAMP that is in charge of the multicast communications within each cluster and secondly SAFIR that handles multicast flows between the clusters. These two protocols that can be implemented independently, act in concert to pro- vide an efficient and scalable multicast service for the tactical MANET. Then, we study the interoperability of these multicast protocols employed within the MANET with those employed in the heterogeneous networks that it is interconnected with in order to guarantee end-to-end seamless multicast services to users. Finally, since the multicast protocols proposed in this thesis rely on underlying unicast routing protocols, we propose, in the last chapter, a scalable unicast routing protocol based on OLSR.

Read more

Networking / Space communication systems

Codage multi-couches pour systèmes de communication par satellites

Author: Cantillo Juan

Defended in May 2008

Download document

Current satellite architectures for delivering interactive IP services and broadband connectivity are based on the layered principles of the OSI reference model. There is no denying that the traditional research approach focusing on layer-specific problems faced by satellite architectures within the well-defined bounds of the layered model has been rather fruitful. Wireless-friendly adaptations of major protocols exist today, and state-of-the-art coding and modulation techniques have taken physical layers close to their theoretical performance limits. However, a number of critical issues such as end-to-end fulfillment of service-level agreements, seamless mobility or scalable support for reliable multicast have not yet found optimal solutions by means of independent layer tuning, due to the unique characteristics of satellite links. The modular approach blurs the dynamics of layers interaction with the wireless medium, hindering the overall system performance with redundancy, inefficient resource handling and suboptimal performances. Recent research has thus started to address these problems in a holistic way, by stressing the potential benefits of authorizing information exchanges across layers beyond the scope of the reference model. Multi-layers feedback and the resulting system adaptivity offer multiple possibilities for attuning the protocol stack as a whole, allowing for overall optimization and better integration of satellite links in the increasingly heterogeneous network environment. Cross-layer design has emerged as a promising research area in the satellite and wireless communications fields, characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach involving information theory, network protocol design, optimization techniques, stochastic modeling and advanced signal processing. Since recent crosslayer proposals have started tackling successfully some complex problems that layered architectures do not address properly, next-generation standards and protocols are starting to integrate crosslayer principles de facto. This thesis addresses the error control problem for satellite links from the perspective of cross-layer design. At the crossroads of QoS-related constraints, devices complexity and efficient spectrum use, error control is indeed a key aspect of wireless communications — particularly crucial in the satellite context — where cross-layer enhancements can play an important role. After a thorough introduction to cross-layer design, the first part of this work focuses specifically on the error control strategy of early DVB satellites, where redundancies between the channel decoder and the adaptation layers are set to light in order to propose a joint bandwidth-efficient error control policy. The focus then moves to second-generation DVB satellites and the definition of the novel, IPcentric and cross-layer friendly GSE encapsulation protocol, where results from the aforementioned study were successfully applied. Finally, a whole new cross-layer framework called HERACLES is introduced, offering efficient and overhead-free error correction capabilities for almost any layer of a protocol stack and being patented at the moment of writing these words. The results of the overall work show the strengths of an integrated approach to error control, and open the way for innovative cross-layer mechanisms to be deployed in next-generation communications networks.

Read more

Digital communications / Space communication systems

Conference Paper

Acquisition of Weak GNSS Signals Using a New Block Averaging Pre-Processing

Authors: Sahmoudi Mohamed, Amin Moeness G. and Landry René

In Proc. Position, Location and Navigation Symposium (IEEE/ION PLANS), Monterey, USA, May 5-8, 2008.

In this paper, we introduce a new approach for the acquisition of weak GNSS signals. For the GPS L1 signal, we utilize the replication property of the C/A code within each data bit to introduce a block averaging pre-processing (BAP) approach for improving receiver robustness against undesired signals. A large number of weighted signal blocks is coherently accumulated and synchronously averaged to obtain a single block with improved signal power. We present several properties of the proposed GNSS signals enhancement technique and we analyze its robustness against noise and different classes of interferers. Thus, we develop a software defined acquisition procedure using the efficient FFT correlation approach. We propose two acquisition algorithms based on the BAP approach. The first scheme implements the parallel code phase search in finding the 2-D spectrum peak using circular cross-correlations. In the second scheme, we exploit the BAP for a fast acquisition performing the frequency estimation prior to the 1-D code-phase search.

Read more

Signal and image processing / Localization and navigation

Improved Positioning Using GSM and GNSS Tight Hybridization

Authors: Bonacci David, Chauvet Wilfried, Paimblanc Philippe, Sadiki Tayeb and Castanié Francis

In European Navigation Conference (ENC-GNSS’08), Toulouse, France, April 23-25 2008.

Download document

In this paper, a way of improving the positioning performance of the GNSS system through hybridization with distances derived from GSM power measurements was proposed. The GNSS/GSM Fusion algorithm was an APF (Auxiliary Particle Filter) algorithm with UKF (Unscented Kalman Filter) proposal and Rao-Blackwellisation allowing tight hybridization of GPS and GSM measurements. Scenario 1 and 2 showed an improvement in terms of accuracy and availability thanks to the use of GSM received powers in addition to GPS pseudoranges in a realistic scenario. Several perspectives can be given: First, the automatic estimation of hyperparameters: PF algorithms can be used to perform joint estimation of some global parameters (as for instance observation and evolution noises variances). This would give the fusion algorithm a better adaptability to local situations. Finally, the use of “multiple models” formulation can be envisaged: ability of PF algorithms to select automatically the most adapted model among a bank of available evolution and observation models. This would allow the algorithm to deal better with multipath effects.

Read more

Signal and image processing and Digital communications / Localization and navigation

Journal Paper

On-line Monitoring of Mechanical Faults in Variable-Speed Induction Motor Drives Using the Wigner Distribution

Authors: Blodt Martin, Bonacci David, Regnier Jérémi, Chabert Marie and Faucher Jean

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics (special issue on electrical machinery) , vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 522-533, February, 2008.

Download document

This paper deals with the detection of mechanical load faults in induction motors during speed transients. The detection strategy is based on stator current analysis. Mechanical load faults generally lead to load torque oscillations at specific frequencies related to the mechanical rotor speed. The torque oscillations produce a characteristic sinusoidal phase modulation of the stator current. Speed transients result in time-varying supply frequencies that prevent the use of classical, Fourier transform-based spectral estimation. This paper proposes the use of a time-frequency distribution, the Wigner Distribution, for stator current analysis. Fault indicators are extracted from the distribution for on-line condition monitoring. The proposed methods are implemented on a low-cost digital signal processor. Experimental results in a steady-state and during transients with load torque oscillations and load imbalance are presented.

Read more

Signal and image processing / Other

Conference Paper

Performance of Multicorrelators GNSS Interference Detection Algorithms for Civil Aviation

Authors: Ouzeau Christophe, Macabiau Christophe, Roturier Benoît and Mabilleau Mikael

In Proc. National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, USA, January 30, 2008

Download document

For GNSS civil aviation applications, it is necessary to be able to guarantee the required level of performance specified by ICAO during a given phase of flight. The use of several GNSS components such as various signals, constellations or augmentation systems, sometimes redundant, helps monitoring the system robustness against several sources of perturbations like ionosphere or jammers for instance. In case of perturbation preventing one of the needed components to meet the phase of flight required performance, it is necessary to be able to switch to another available component in order to try to maintain if possible the level of performance in terms of continuity, integrity, availability and accuracy. But, to this end, future combined receivers must be capable of detecting the largest number of degradations that should lead to the loss of one GNSS component. Among the perturbations, one can note atmospheric disturbances, multipath, cycle slips, interferences. It is consequently necessary to identify and test degradation detection means that will enable if possible the receiver to maintain the level of performance requirement during an aircraft flight. Because of the interests in civil aviation and the restrictive requirements associated, it is interesting to focus on the degradation detection during LPV phases of flight. The interference is among the most feared events in civil aviation use of GNSS. Detection, estimation and removal remain an open issue and may affect pseudoranges measurements accuracy as well as integrity, continuity and even availability of those measurements. In literature, many different interference detection algorithms have been proposed at the front-end level of the receiver. For instance making chi-square tests at the ADC level, as in nominal conditions, the ADC bins distribution is Gaussian. Other non exhaustive means are to study the design of the receiver antenna or to make a spectral selectivity using filters. However, detection within tracking loops is not widely studied to our knowledge that is why it is an interesting investigation way that may complete other detection means, as proposed in [Bastide, 2001]. The goal of this paper is to estimate the performance of detection algorithm of Carrier Waves and Narrow Bands interferences. The main results are missed detection probability and the non-detected tracking error induced by interferences. Indeed, those types of interferences may affect powerful GPS L1 C/A or Galileo E1 code spectrum lines and may produce Misleading Information. It is consequently important to study the effects of such interferences on different spectrum lines and with different settings, varying the amplitude and for Narrow Bands, the bandwidth of this perturbation. The detection algorithms used are based on multi correlator receiver outputs to detect the I and Q correlation distortions due to interferences. The paper starts with the presentation of the detection technique. Performance analysis is then conducted taking into account required continuity during LPV phase of flight, to determine a threshold on the interference detection criteria (FFT of the correlator outputs). Interference missed detection probability is then estimated and finally the algorithm integrity performances are discussed. To comply with actual conditions, as the receiver is supposed onboard a flying aircraft, tests were conducted under multipath conditions modelled with the DLR Aeronautical Channel, taking into account the ground reflection and fuselage echoes during LPV. In addition, simulations were performed under all kinds of dynamics, complying with DO 229 d specifications and interim Galileo MOPS. The results indicate these techniques are good detection means under actual conditions, and do not require a too large number of calculations. The inclusion of the proposed algorithms before Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring algorithms and combined integrity results are discussed. Further studies should provide results on the accuracy of interference estimation and repair algorithms.

Read more

Signal and image processing / Aeronautical communication systems and Localization and navigation

Fast Acquisition Unit for GPS-GALILEO Receivers in Space Environment

Authors: Calmettes Vincent, Dion Arnaud, Boutillon Emmanuel and Liegon Emmanuel

In Proc. Institute of Navigation - ION, San Diego, USA, January 28-30, 2008.

Download document

In contrast with ground applications the GNSS constellations are not optimized for space applications. Moreover, the different types of mission, i.e. Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), have all specific requirements. Our motivation is to define an «Ubiquitous GNSS receiver (UGNSS)», i.e. a single receiver able to cope with all types of mission. The analyze of the different types of mission shows that the UGNSS receiver should deal with both GPS and GALILEO signals as well as other future GNSS systems. It should also be able to have fast synchronization and robust tracking with extremely wide Doppler range(LEO mission)or be able to cope with very weak signals (GEO mission).In order to fulfill those requirements, we define the specifications of a reconfigurable decoder that allows to allocate the hardware resources to the type of processing required by the mission. In this paper we consider the algorithm which aims to acquire GNSS signals. This algorithm is based on two IP cores which perform a 8 points FFT and a 2048 points FFT. These two cores are configured to achieve GNSS signal acquisition in any space mission, by taking into account the signal structure (BPSK(1)or BOC(1,1))and the signal features(C/No ratio, Doppler span and Doppler rate).

Read more

Signal and image processing / Localization and navigation and Space communication systems

ADDRESS

7 boulevard de la Gare
31500 Toulouse
France

CONTACT


CNES
Thales Alenia Space
Collins Aerospace
Toulouse INP
ISEA-SUPAERO
IPSA
ENAC
IMT Atlantique