Frequency selective propagation effects on spread-spectrum receiver tracking

This paper presents results of investigations of frequency selective scintillation effects, due to transionospheric propagation, on the performance of spread-spectrum receivers. Emphasis is placed on pseudonoise (PN) direct sequence systems. Pertinent features of the disturbed ionospheric propagation channel are described together with the characteristics of resulting satellite signal scintillations. Effects of frequency selective scintillations on PN spread-spectrum code correlation and tracking are illustrated in some detail. The design of the receiver PN code tracking loop is an important factor in determining the significance of these effects. Of the designs that have been investigated, a dedicated (non-time-shared) noncoherent code tracking loop appears to be least susceptible to losing code lock in the presence of frequency selective scintillation. Possible design modifications to further enhance the robustness of PN code tracking are discussed.