Abstract :
Low redundancy FEC coded 1024-QAM modems, staggered 1024-QAM, and 256-QAM modems for spectrally efficient (up to 8.84 bits/s/Hz) microwave and cable systems applications are described. Such a high spectral efficiency is required for CEPT-1 (2.048 Mbit/s) rate digital transmission in a single analog supergroup (SG` band as well as for other emerging systems applications. Practical constraints of operational analog FDM systems are presented and taken into account in the choice of the low redundancy FEC codec and the coded 1024-QAM modem. Theoretical, computer simulation and experimental results of 256QAM modems have been extended to the feasibility study of 512-QAM, 961-QPRS, and 1024-QAM modems. Our experience with 256-QAM modems which have a T-1 (1.544 Mbit/s) rate in a 240 kHz analog supergroup (SG) band, i.e., an efficiency of 6.66 bits/s/Hz, demonstrates that a regenerative span over 1000 km is feasible over FDM radio systems. A significantly increased spectral efficiency of 8.84 bits/s/Hz is required for CEPT-1/SG system applications. Our R&D results, presented in this paper, demonstrate the feasibility of FEC coded 1024QAM modems, equipped with powerful digital adaptive equalizers, carrier phase noise, and symbol clock jitter cancellation subsystems, for the transmission of CEPT-1 rate signals in a single SG band.
