Sequential detector for nonlinear channels with applications to satellite communications

Sequential detection over a bandlimited nonlinear channel is considered and a particle filtering algorithm is developed. The nonlinearity of the problem motivates the use of sequential Monte Carlo methods. Since the channel is bandlimited, the resulting memory of the channel allows for modeling the problem as a dynamic state space model. A particular application to nonlinear satellite communication is illustrated, where the channel is a cascade of linear filters and the nonlinear traveling wave tube amplifier at the satellite repeater. The approach results in very simple detectors with good performance characteristics and general applicability.