Using monitoring of interference and ionospheric irregularities to improve the reliability of high-frequency communication
DOI: 10.21293/1818-0442-2026-29-2-57-63
Abstract: Relevance. The reliability of high-frequency (HF) radio communication is a key parameter of long-range communication systems. The ionospheric channel is highly variable, and static models regulated by ITU-R recommendations cannot guarantee prediction accuracy under real conditions. Purpose of the study. To analyze the existing ITU-R-based methods for estimating the reliability of HF radio links, to demonstrate the spread of estimates under differing degrees of factor consideration, and to justify the transition to adaptive systems employing ionospheric monitoring data. Methods. The study employs comparative modeling of three approaches using an F1B radiotelegraphy link as a case study: the basic one (according to Recommendation ITU-R P.842-5 with a fixed required signal-to-noise ratio from Recommendation ITU-R F.339), a refined one (taking into account the frequency dependence of interference variations) and a combined one (also incorporating the frequency-dependent required signal-to-noise ratio caused by ionospheric diffuseness). Scientific Novelty. A combined approach to calculating HF communication reliability has been developed. Unlike existing isolated methods (primarily ITU-R), this approach establishes an end-to-end analytical relationship between the dynamic energy threshold Zperm (f, βi), the operating frequency (f), the current state of ionospheric diffuseness (βi), and the frequency-dependent standard deviation of interference fluctuations (σz(f)). For the first time, it is demonstrated that the combined consideration of these factors reveals a non-monotonic relationship between reliability and frequency, enabling the predictive determination of the optimum operating frequency for specific heliogeophysical conditions. Results. The basic approach yields a maximum reliability of approximately 64% at the maximum usable frequency; accounting for the frequency dependence of interference improves estimates at lower frequencies; the combined approach results in reliability values of 80-87% with a pronounced optimum at 2-3 MHz. The spread of estimates reaches tens of percentage points. Practical significance. The calculation results substantiate that an HF communication reliability of 86.8% is achievable under the considered heliogeophysical conditions and confirm the necessity of transitioning to proactive adaptive HF communication systems featuring continuous passive channel state monitoring.
Keywords: HF radio communication, communication reliability, ionospheric diffuseness, required signal-to-noise ratio, atmospheric radio noise, adaptive radio communication, passive ionospheric monitoring, ITU‐R recommendations
For citation:
Skorik A. D. Using monitoring of interference and ionospheric irregularities to improve the reliability of high-frequency communication. Doklady Tomskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta sistem upravleniya i radioelektroniki, 2026, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 57–63. DOI: 10.21293/1818-0442-2026-29-2-57-63
Authors and copyright holders:
- Skorik A. D. , JSC "Concept
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