JPL WORKSHOP: PROPOSED BANDWITH-EFFICIENT MODULATION STANDARD FOR AEROSPACE DATA COMM. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/Caltech), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), announce a Proposed Bandwidth-Efficient Modulation Standard for Aerospace Data Communications Workshop in Washington, D.C. The data communications spectrum allocated for aerospace applications (aircraft and missile test ranges, near-Earth spacecraft launch and flight operations, etc.) is becoming increasingly congested as the mission demands for data transmission capacity increase. In response to this challenge, the development and deployment of new open standardized modulation techniques that can significantly improve the efficiency of aerospace bandwidth utilization is being advocated. Based on recent studies by the DOD and NASA, it appears that it may be possible to achieve at least a "times 2" improvement in spectrum efficiency (relative to that of currently operational PCM-FM telemetry systems) by the beginning of 2001. In particular, two new modulation types -- FQPSK (Feher Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) and GMSK (Gaussian-filtered Minimum Shift Keying) -- appear to yield very good bandwidth efficiency and are currently the leading candidates for the future standard. In order to accelerate the initiation of this standardization project, the AIAA (in cooperation with NASA and the DOD) intends to hold a free one-day open workshop to allow a critical community review of the FQPSK and GMSK techniques. In addition, any other organizations having alternative candidate proposals for a new modulation standard are invited to come forward and present them at the workshop. Candidate approaches should consider only proven techniques which meet the following performance guidelines: (1) capable of operation at bit rates of 1Mb/s and above while achieving; (2) high RF spectral efficiency using; (3) non-linearly amplified (e.g., fully saturated) RF devices without additional IF or RF filters; and (4) displaying robust bit error rate performance without coding. The workshop is 24 March 1998 at 0830-1700 at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. Proponents of any alternative proposals are requested to submit comprehensive technical and patent disclosures to the workshop Chairman, along with permission to distribute this information to the attendees, no later than 10 March 1998. Hardware and/or software demonstrations are particularly invited. Attention is called to the possibility that implementation of the proposed new standard may require use of technology covered by patent rights. Prior to the publication of a new standard in this technical area, any patent holder will be required to file a statement of assurance that it will grant licenses without compensation or under reasonable rates and nondiscriminatory, reasonable terms and conditions to all applicants desiring to obtain such licenses. Proponents of all proposed new modulation techniques are therefore requested to submit a letter to the workshop Chairman stating whether thetechniques may contain patented material or are based on non-patented designs. In the case of patented technologies and/or of other proprietary Intellectual Property (IP), the proponent's organization must submit a written statement prior to the workshop identifying the relevant patent information and stating the commitment of the proponent's organization to licensing its technologies for international commercial and government applications either without compensation or under reasonable terms and conditions that are demonstrably free of unfair discrimination. For further information, please contact the Chairman, AIAA Ad-hoc Working Group on Efficient Utilization of Aerospace Communications Resources, Mr. Adrian J. Hooke at (818) 354-3063; FAX (818) 354-9068 or via email: adrian.hooke@jpl.nasa.gov. To register for the free workshop and/or receive a package of technical information (including reports containing information on patented FQPSK and GMSK techniques) please contact Ms. Nancy Cuevas, Workshop Administrator, at (818) 354-6992; FAX (818) 354-9068 or via email: nancy.cuevas@jpl.nasa.gov. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). E-MAIL: JPL Workshop, nancy.cuevas@jpl.nasa.gov.

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