Experimental ELF/VLF Wave Communication With Excitation by Ionosphere Modulated Heating

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we present experimental results from the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association for communication using extremely low frequency/very low frequency (ELF/VLF) electromagnetic (EM) waves excited via amplitude‐modulated auroral electrojet. EM wave signals with modulation frequencies of 2,017 and 3,517 Hz were encoded by quaternary phase shift keying, and three transmission rates (20, 100, and 400 bps) were selected. By analyzing the ELF/VLF EM wave intensity at the receiver, we found that the relationship between the ELF/VLF wave intensity and natural current intensity was affected by the background ionospheric state. Combined with previously published experimental results from High‐frequency Active Auroral Research Program communications, the relationship between bit error rate (BER) and signal‐to‐noise ratio (Eb/N0) at the receiver was also analyzed. The results showed that when Eb/N0 > 8 dB, BER = 0 and when Eb/N0 < 8 dB, the relationship between BER and Eb/N0 satisfies the complementary error function, and the accurate relationship between them is given via experimental data fitting.