A real-time GNSS-R system based on software-defined radio and graphics processing units

Reflected signals of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) from the sea or land surface can be utilized to deduce and monitor physical and geophysical parameters of the reflecting area. Unlike most other remote sensing techniques, GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) operates as a passive radar that takes advantage from the increasing number of navigation satellites that broadcast their L-band signals. Thereby, most of the GNSS-R receiver architectures are based on dedicated hardware solutions. Software-defined radio (SDR) technology has advanced in the recent years and enabled signal processing in real-time, which makes it an ideal candidate for the realization of a flexible GNSS-R system. Additionally, modern commodity graphic cards, which offer massive parallel computing performances, allow to handle the whole signal processing chain without interfering with the PC’s CPU. Thus, this paper describes a GNSS-R system which has been developed on the principles of software-defined radio supported by General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs), and presents results from initial field tests which confirm the anticipated capability of the system.     

基于GPS遥感的延迟映射接收机关键技术

全球卫星定位系统GPS(Global Positioning System)广泛应用于定位和导航,还可利用海面对GPS信号产生的散射效应进行微波遥感,是一种新型微波遥感手段.首先介绍了GPS海洋遥感测风技术产生背景及特点,给出了GPS散射信号测量技术理论基础,重点分析了延迟映射接收机设计中提高采样信号信噪比、双射频前端电路设计、计算反射点延迟、接收机工作模式、内嵌软件处理等5项关键技术.设计的延迟映射接收机样机在天津近海完成了首次搭载飞行试验,试验结果表明,延迟映射接收机可同时接收直射和海面散射卫星信号并输出导航定位解,正确计算镜面散射点码延迟,准确接收海面散射的GPS卫星信号,且散射信号信噪比达到了14.9 dB以上,接收机输出为反演海面风场提供了准确的基础数据,这种方式可推广到遥感探测陆地土壤湿度、海冰厚度、海浪高度等领域.      

机载GNSS海洋反射信号的建模与仿真

由于全球导航卫星系统反射(GNSS-R)机载试验耗费大和重复性差,需研制GNSS-R信号模拟器,但没有相应的反射信号模型。提出了一种基于数据拟合的机载GNSS海洋反射信号建模方法。首先,对复杂的GNSS海面反射信号进行近似简化。然后利用ZV模型生成的时延相关功率曲线,通过最小二乘拟合和非线性拟合,建立了多条等时延间隔的海洋反射信号功率衰减模型,从而得到机载GNSS海洋反射信号的时延、功率、多普勒频率参数。最后,对多条反射信号的合路信号进行相关的仿真验证。验证的结果表明模拟的14条反射信号的相关功率曲线与ZV模型理论曲线的相关系数优于0.99,能够有效地用于GNSS海洋反射信号的生成。该方法可根据海面风场、浪高、波高等海面信息,模拟不同海况的海洋反射信号,为GNSS-R信号模拟器的研制奠定基础。     

基于QZSS L1信号的岸基GNSS-R码延迟海面测高

为了探究GNSS L1波段中信号不同调制方式的GNSS-R码相位延迟海面的测高性能，开展了双天线岸基GNSS-R海面测高实验，收集了采样率为40 MHz的原始中频数据。利用自主开发的GNSS-R测高软件接收机和反演软件对实验数据进行了处理分析，同时获得了基于QZSS L1C/A码和L1C码的GNSS-R海面测高结果，并分别与岸基同步观测的雷达高度计的测高值进行对比，以对反演结果进行精度评定。实验结果表明:基于QZSS L1C/A码和L1C码的海面测高精度最优可达0.63 m和0.4 m，L1C码的延迟GNSS-R测高精度明显高于L1C/A码。此外，GNSS-R测高精度会随着卫星高度角的增加而有所增加。      

一种基于北斗三号系统的GNSS-R海面干涉测高技术

GNSS-R干涉测高技术可用于中尺度海面高度观测，具有空间分辨率高、测量精度高等优势。与传统的GNSS-R本地码测高技术相比，GNSS-R干涉测高技术可以有效提升高度测量精度。虽然GNSS-R干涉测高技术已有一些研究，但是基于北斗三号的干涉测高应用还很少。本文根据GNSS-R干涉测高技术优势，针对北斗三号系统在干涉测高技术上的应用，研发了支持北斗三号的GNSS-R干涉测高接收机并描述了整体架构及实现。利用所研发的接收机进行水面干涉测高试验，首次获取了北斗三号B1和B2干涉测高波形，与传统GPS L1和北斗B1本地码测高波形进行对比。对两种方法计算出的水面高度进行对比，结果显示北斗三号干涉测高精度明显优于GPS L1和北斗B1传统本地码测高精度。      

Waveform-based spaceborne GNSS-R wind speed observation: Demonstration and analysis using UK TechDemoSat-1 data

This paper explores two types of mathematical functions to fit single- and full-frequency waveform of spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R), respectively. The metrics of the waveforms, such as the noise floor, peak magnitude, mid-point position of the leading edge, leading edge slope and trailing edge slope, can be derived from the parameters of the proposed models. Because the quality of the UK TDS-1 data is not at the level required by remote sensing mission, the waveforms buried in noise or from ice/land are removed by defining peak-to-mean ratio, cosine similarity of the waveform before wind speed are retrieved. The single-parameter retrieval models are developed by comparing the peak magnitude, leading edge slope and trailing edge slope derived from the parameters of the proposed models with in situ wind speed from the ASCAT scatterometer. To improve the retrieval accuracy, three types of multi-parameter observations based on the principle component analysis (PCA), minimum variance (MV) estimator and Back Propagation (BP) network are implemented. The results indicate that compared to the best results of the single-parameter observation, the approaches based on the principle component analysis and minimum variance could not significantly improve retrieval accuracy, however, the BP networks obtain improvement with the RMSE of 2.55 m/s and 2.53 m/s for single- and full-frequency waveform, respectively.     

基于相关功率修正的地基GNSS-R土壤湿度反演

利用全球导航卫星系统反射信号测量技术(GNSS-R)进行土壤湿度反演过程中，实际接收天线方向性会造成GNSS直反信号相关功率测量偏差。针对地基观测场景下天线方向性造成的相关功率的类余弦振荡问题，提出了基于多项式拟合的信号相关功率修正方法。为了验证所提方法的有效性，开展了地基GNSS-R土壤湿度观测实验，结果表明:基于多项式拟合的相关功率修正可以消除信号相关功率的类余弦振荡，提升GNSS-R土壤湿度反演中的观测数据有效性和反演结果准确性。      

The impact on tsunami detection from space using GNSS-reflectometry when combining GPS with GLONASS and Galileo

The devastating Sumatra tsunami in 2004 demonstrated the need for a tsunami early warning system in the Indian Ocean. Such a system has been installed within the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (GITEWS) project. Tsunamis are a global phenomenon and for global observations satellites are predestined. Within the GITEWS project a feasibility study on a future tsunami detection system from space has therefore been carried out. The Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is an innovative way of using GNSS signals for remote sensing. It uses ocean reflected GNSS signals for sea surface altimetry. With a dedicated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of satellites equipped with GNSS-R receivers, densely spaced sea surface height measurements could be established to detect tsunamis. Some general considerations on the geometry between LEO and GNSS are made in this simulation study. It exemplary analyzes the detection performance of a GNSS-R constellation at 900 km altitude and 60° inclination angle when applied to the Sumatra tsunami as it occurred in 2004. GPS is assumed as signal source and the combination with GLONASS and Galileo signals is investigated. It can be demonstrated, that the combination of GPS and Galileo is advantageous for constellations with few satellites while the combination with GLONASS is preferable for constellations with many satellites. If all three GNSS are combined, the best detection performance can be expected for all scenarios considered. In this case an 18 satellite constellation will detect the Sumatra tsunami within 17 min with certainty, while it takes 53 min if only GPS is considered.     

星载GNSS-R海面风场观测载荷关键技术设计与验证

目前海面风场观测手段有限,基于全球导航卫星系统反射信号处理(global navigation satellite system reflection,GNSS-R)的天基观测为全球风场信息获取提供了全新的手段.GNSS-R海面风速探测技术具有全天时、全天候、低功耗、宽覆盖、多信号源、低成本等特点,日益获得了广泛的关注...     

涌浪及降雨影响下的GNSS海面反射信号建模

全球导航卫星系统（GNSS）海面反射信号的模拟仿真采用的海浪谱多为风驱模型，而忽略了真实复杂环境中涌浪、降雨的影响。为此，提出了一种涌浪、降雨影响下的GNSS海面反射信号模型。首先，对Elfouhaily海浪谱、涌浪谱、降雨谱分别进行仿真，从海浪谱的角度分析涌浪、降雨对GNSS反射信号的影响。然后，设计了引入涌浪、降雨影响因子后的GNSS反射信号建模的方法，并建立噪声模型。最后，对星载场景下仿真得到的二维时延-多普勒相关功率分布图像（DDM）、时延相关功率波形（DW）进行分析，并与英国技术演示卫星（UK TDS-1）实测数据的处理结果进行了对比验证。结果表明:涌浪主要形成对GNSS反射信号影响较大的大尺度粗糙海面，而降雨对GNSS反射信号影响较小；仿真的DDM与实测数据结果的波形有很好的一致性，DW对比的相关系数达到0.92，优于未修正模型的对比结果，模拟的反射信号更为真实，证明了提出的GNSS反射信号建模方法的可行性、有效性。对真实复杂环境下的GNSS反射信号建模及GNSS反射信号星载探测应用研究具有一定的参考意义和实用价值。      

基于双基雷达原理的GNSS海面反射信号建模方法

全球导航卫星系统反射(GNSS-R)技术应用过程中接收机的测试验证需要反射信号产生源,以降低成本。信号的模型是GNSS-R信号产生源中的核心。针对缺乏相应模型的问题,提出了一种根据双基雷达原理建立GNSS海面反射信号模型的方法。首先,在分析GNSS海面反射信号特征的基础上,选取了恰当的海面反射点。然后,计算了雷达方程中的散射系数和散射面积,从而得到相应反射点的反射信号功率。最后,对所求得的反射信号参数进行仿真验证。验证的结果表明,反射信号的相关功率曲线与ZV模型理论曲线的相关系数优于0.98,能够有效地用于GNSS海面反射信号的生成。因此,该方法可为GNSS-R信号产生源的研制提供一定的理论支撑。     

Remote sensing using GNSS signals: Current status and future directions

The refracted, reflected and scattered signals of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) have been successfully used to remotely sense the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. It has demonstrated its potential to sense the atmosphere and ionosphere, ocean, land surfaces (including soil moisture) and the cryosphere. These new measurements, although in need of refinement and further validation in many cases, can be used to complement existing techniques and sensors, e.g., radiosonde, ionosonde, radar altimetry and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). This paper presents the current status and new developments of remote sensing using GNSS signals as well as its future directions and applications. Some notable emerging applications include monitoring sea ice, dangerous sea states, ocean eddy and storm surges. With the further improvement of the next generation multi-frequency GNSS systems and receivers and new space-based instruments utilizing GNSS reflections and refractions, new scientific applications of GNSS are expected in various environment remote sensing fields in the near future.     

GNSS-Reflectometry: Forest canopies polarization scattering properties and modeling

Nowadays, GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) can be a new promising remote sensing tool in the ocean, snow/ice and land surfaces, e.g., vegetation biomass monitoring. Although GNSS-R provides a potentially special L-band multi-angular and multi-polarization measurement, the theoretical vegetation scattering properties and mechanisms for GNSS-R are not understood clearly. In this paper, the GNSS-R vegetation polarization scattering properties are studied and modeled at different incidence angles (specular direction). The bistatic scattering model Bi-mimics is employed, which is the first-order radiative transfer equation. As a kind of forest stand, the Aspen’s crown layer is composed of entire leaves, and its parameters in Mimics handbook are used as model input. The specular circular polarizations (co-polarization RR and cross-polarization LR) are simulated. For cross-polarization, the received polarization is assumed as a linear (horizontal and vertical) polarizations and ±45° linear polarizations. Therefore, the HR VR, +45R and −45R polarizations are simulated here. Contributions from different scattering components at RR, LR and VR polarization are also presented. For co-polarization, it is large in the whole specular angles (10–80°). The scattering trends of the other cross polarization (HR, LR, +45R and −45R) are a little similar when compared to the RR and RV. Therefore, the RHCP and V polarizations are more favorable to collect the reflected signals. The trunk heights and crown depths do not affect the scattering trends of RR, RV and RL, while the trunk height has some effect on the scattering amplitude of different polarizations. The azimuth angle has more effects on RR, RL and RV scattering, especially in lower than 50°. The observation angles and polarization combinations are extremely important for GNSS-R remote sensing.     

Low Earth orbit constellation design using a multi-objective genetic algorithm for GNSS reflectometry missions

Spaceborne global navigation satellite system reflectometry (GNSS-R) is an innovative bistatic radar remote sensing technique utilizing low Earth orbit (LEO) based GNSS-R instruments to acquire GNSS L-band opportunistic signals for measuring geophysical parameters. A GNSS-R LEO constellation with an optimization design for its specialized missions is very significant and necessary. However, the constellation design involves multi-parameter and multi-objective optimization, and the classical analytic solution is not capable of such a complicated issue. This study proposes a multi-objective LEO constellation design method with a genetic algorithm (GA) and presents a framework for designing two GNSS-R LEO constellations, termed “lower-latitude constellation” for typhoons and hurricanes observation in the tropics and “global constellation” for global geophysical parameter measurements. Then, the observation capability of both designed constellations is evaluated in terms of the number of reflection points, spatial coverage density, and revisit time to verify the GA efficiency in LEO constellation design. Results show that the two designed LEO constellations with high fitness function values possess optimal orbit parameter set configuration and outperform the existing CyGNSS constellations in observation performance. Compared with CyGNSS, the number of reflection points observed by the lower-latitude constellation and the global constellation increases by 38% and 45%, as well as the spatial coverage density increases by 28% and 36%. The revisit time for the lower-latitude constellation is reduced by 0.29 h, whereas the revisit time for the global constellation increases by one hour.     

CYGNSS海面风速固有误差与时空分布特征

全球导航卫星系统反射测量（GNSS-R）是一种新兴的海面风速遥感技术,对GNSS-R反演风速进行详细定量分析是该技术从科学研究走向业务应用的必要条件。 以气旋全球导航卫星系统（CYGNSS）的风速数据为例,利用时空匹配的浮标风速和欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）的预报风速数据,详细分析了CYGNSS遥感风速的气候态特征和时空分布特征。基于三配对数据分析方法,阐明了CYGNSS遥感风速的固有误差,并提出了相应的风速标定系数。研究表明:GYGNSS的中低风速（w <10 m·s–1）精度较好,但高风速的误差显著增大;风速误差具有良好的时间一致性,但呈现明显的空间分布不均匀现象;总体而言,CYGNSS风速的固有误差约为1.79 m·s–1。研究结果一方面可为CYGNSS风速数据的业务应用提供参考,另一方面也为进一步标定CYGNSS的反射测量信号提供依据。      

卫星信号闪烁的能谱特性及其在通信和遥感上应用的可能性

本文报导了利用SIRIO—1卫星进行的Ku波段卫星信号幅度闪烁能谱分析的研究成果。其统计结果对卫星通讯链路设计、自适应功率控制、雷达跟踪等方面有参考意义。此外,这种分析方法将是遥感自旋卫星的旋转速率和大气湍流结构的可能手段。     

直反信号协同的GNSS-R BSAR距离多普勒成像算法

针对目前基于全球导航卫星系统反射信号的双基地合成孔径雷达（GNSS-R BSAR)在一站固定模式下的大斜视,斜距历程复杂,回波信号方位空变导致回波信号难以处理的问题,提出改进的距离多普勒成像新算法。所提算法采用GNSS信号作为辐射源,根据一站固定模式下GNSS-R BSAR合成孔径时间长的特点,引入高阶等效斜视距离模型,得到导航卫星与目标斜距相对时间变化的精确描述。先通过直射信号与回波信号时域对消进行距离徙动校正,实现全场景目标距离徙动的精确校正;再通过方位向分块混合相关处理来克服回波信号方位向的移变性质,实现全场景高效精确成像。所提算法的成像效率优于传统后向投影时域（BP）算法,成像精度与BP算法相当,且可根据需要通过调整方位分块的宽度来提升聚焦效果。最后,用GPS-L5信号进行仿真和实验,仿真和实验结果验证了所提算法的可行性和高效性。     

基于CEEMDAN的雷达信号脉内细微特征提取法

有效的信号特征提取是高精度雷达辐射源识别的基础,以脉冲描述字为代表的传统特征已无法满足复杂电磁环境的需要。本文提出一种基于自适应噪声完备集合经验模态分解（CEEMDAN）的有效雷达辐射源脉内细微特征提取算法。雷达信号由对非平稳、非线性信号尤为有效的CEEMDAN分解产生的个别分量重构,抑噪效果通过1 000次蒙特卡罗实验得到验证,同时设计基于该重构的一种脉内特征空间。本文方法与主流特征提取方法的识别精度在6部雷达辐射源产生的3 000个不同脉内调制的加噪信号样本上进行了实验对比,结果表明不同种类信号样本在本文特征空间中清晰可分,本文方法较之主流方法更加精确,尤其在0 dB信噪比（SNR）下仍保持90%以上的高精度。