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Review of channel models for deep space communications

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Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of channel models for deep space communications. Based on the characteristics of environment, deep space channels can be divided into three kinds, i.e., near Earth link, interstellar link and near planet link. The modeling for different kinds of channels are summarized respectively, and some simulation results are provided in this paper. In addition, according to the development trend of deep space communications, optical wave will become an important carrier in the future. Therefore, deep space optical communication is also briefly introduced. Finally, challenges of deep space channel modeling are pointed out and future research direction is also discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61671263, 61271265), and Tsinghua University Independent Scientific Research Project (Grant No. 20161080057).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Space Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Xiaohan Pan, Yafeng Zhan, Peng Wan & Jianhua Lu

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  1. Xiaohan Pan
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  2. Yafeng Zhan
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  3. Peng Wan
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  4. Jianhua Lu
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Correspondence to Yafeng Zhan.

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Pan, X., Zhan, Y., Wan, P. et al. Review of channel models for deep space communications. Sci. China Inf. Sci. 61, 040304 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-017-9345-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-017-9345-8

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