Method and device for operating under extremely low signal-to-noise ratio
A method and a device are provided for use at one or more links of a communication network along which communications are exchanged under extremely low SNR conditions. The method comprises a step of transmitting an extended communication frame, which comprises a plurality of basic frames, wherein each of the plurality of basic frames included in the extended frame, comprises the same payload as all other basic frames included in the plurality of basic frames.
1. A method for use at one or more links of a communication network along which communications are exchanged under extremely low SNR conditions, said method comprises: transmitting a plurality of extended communication frames, each extended communication frame comprises a plurality of basic frames, wherein each of the plurality of basic frames included in the extended frame comprises the same payload as all other basic frames included in the plurality of basic frames; and transmitting an anchor frame in between at least two of the plurality of extended communication frames, whereby the anchor frame comprises a known sequence of symbols.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of implementing a code shortening and spreading to at least one of the plurality of basic frames included in the extended communication frame.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of incorporating headers and pilot signals at pre-defined intervals within the extended communication frame.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of extending a header length of one or more basic frames included in the extended communication frame.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of combining header symbols over a number of basic frames, and storing symbols associated with preceding basic frames.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of identifying a basic frame as being a last basic frame of the extended communication frame.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of applying a scrambling sequence across the extended communication frame.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of applying a scrambling sequence across the extended communication frame is carried out by refraining from initializing the scrambling sequence at the beginning of basic frames comprised in the extended communication frame.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein an extended communication frame is configured to carry communications received from a number of different users.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein for each of at least two basic frames received from different users, a different scrambling sequence is applied prior to incorporating the respective basic frames within a single extended communication frame.
11. The method of claim 1 , comprising incorporating with each basic frame a preamble that comprises a sequence of pre-defined symbols.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said anchor frame has a length of one basic frame.
13. A transceiver adapted to exchange communications along one or more communication links at which communications are exchanged under extremely low SNR conditions, wherein: the transceiver is configured to transmit a plurality of extended communication frames, each of which comprises a plurality of basic frames, where each of the plurality of basic frames included in a respective extended communication frame comprises the same payload as all other basic frames included in that plurality of basic frames; and wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit an anchor frame in between at least two of the plurality of extended communication frames, whereby said anchor frame comprising a known sequence of symbols enabling a receiver to recognize an extended communication frame following said anchor frame.
14. The transceiver of claim 13 , further configured to affect code shortening and spreading to at least one of the plurality of basic frames included in the extended communication frame.
15. The transceiver of claim 13 , configured to receive a plurality of extended communication frames, each of which comprises a plurality of basic frames, where each of the plurality of basic frames included in a respective extended communication frame comprises the same payload as all other basic frames included in that plurality of basic frames, and to decode therefrom data payload comprised in the plurality of basic frames included in the extended communication frame.
16. The transceiver of claim 13 , configured to incorporate a preamble that comprises a sequence of pre-defined symbols with each basic frame comprised in an extended communication frame that is being transmitted thereby.
17. The transceiver of claim 13 , further configured to transmit said anchor frame with a length of at least one basic frame.