Comparative Performance Analysis of Forward Error Correction Schemes in AX.25-Based APRS Communication Systems with AFSK Modulation using GNU Radio Simulation

Rifki Ardinal; Agfianto Eko Putra; Wahyudi Hasbi; Eriko Nasemudin Nasser; Widya Roza

doi:10.31436/iiumej.v27i2.3951

Authors

Rifki Ardinal National Research and Innovation Agency
Agfianto Eko Putra Universitas Gadjah Mada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1568-6864
Wahyudi Hasbi National Research and Innovation Agency https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5616-3683
Eriko Nasemudin Nasser National Research and Innovation Agency https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0836-3860
Widya Roza National Research and Innovation Agency https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0970-6281

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v27i2.3951

Keywords:

APRS, AX.25, AFSK, Forward Error Correction, Reed-Solomon, Convolutional Codes

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of Forward Error Correction (FEC) schemes in AX.25-based Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) communications using AFSK modulation through GNU Radio simulations. The study evaluates uncoded transmission, Reed–Solomon (255,223), several convolutional code configurations, and concatenated Reed–Solomon + convolutional coding under both Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels. Results show that convolutional coding with rate 1/3 and constraint length K=7 achieves the best trade-off, reaching error-free performance at Eb/No = -2.5 dB under AWGN and maintaining robustness under fading. Reed–Solomon codes proved effective for correcting burst errors, while concatenated coding showed strong potential but required interleaving for stable operation. These findings highlight that convolutional coding offers the most practical balance between performance and complexity for real-world APRS and satellite systems, providing insights for future enhancements in robust low-SNR communication links.

ABSTRAK: Kajian ini membentangkan analisis perbandingan bagi skim Forward Error Correction (FEC) dalam komunikasi Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) berasaskan protokol AX.25 dengan modulasi AFSK melalui simulasi GNU Radio. Penyelidikan ini menilai penghantaran tanpa FEC, kod Reed–Solomon (255,223), beberapa konfigurasi kod konvolusional, serta kod gabungan Reed–Solomon + konvolusional pada saluran Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) dan Rayleigh fading. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa kod konvolusional dengan kadar 1/3 dan panjang kekangan K=7 memberikan prestasi terbaik, mencapai komunikasi bebas ralat pada Eb/No = –2.5 dB dalam saluran AWGN dan kekal teguh di bawah keadaan fading. Kod Reed–Solomon berkesan untuk pembetulan ralat berurutan, manakala kod gabungan menunjukkan potensi yang kukuh namun memerlukan interleaver untuk operasi yang stabil. Hasil ini menegaskan bahawa kod konvolusional menawarkan keseimbangan paling praktikal antara prestasi dan kompleksiti bagi aplikasi APRS dan sistem satelit, di samping memberikan panduan untuk pembangunan komunikasi yang lebih boleh dipercayai dalam keadaan SNR yang rendah.

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