Optimal PSD limit accommodation in heterogeneous SHF SATCOM networks

The regulations for both the uplink off-axis power spectral density (PSD) emissions and the downlink interference PSD due to adjacent satellites are strict constraints when operating with mobile/small-aperture SHF SATCOM terminals. Driven by the tactical needs of the military, the population of mobile terminals is expected to grow within ad-hoc heterogeneous networks. Given this trend, only waveforms that can maximally utilize satellite resources, while complying with regulatory constraints, will serve as viable, long-term, solutions for the military. The Network-Centric Waveform (NCW), which supports adaptive and automated spread-spectrum to accommodate uplink/downlink PSD regulations, simultaneously with narrowband operation, optimizes network population and throughput. In this paper, we present the spread-spectrum capabilities of NCW and compare it with systems that apply static approaches to meeting PSD limits.