An evaluation of the radio frequency susceptibility of commercialGPS receivers

The radio frequency (RF) susceptibility characteristics of two commercial Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers were evaluated. A first-order analysis was performed to predict the receiver susceptibility thresholds based on the receiver sensitivity and processing gain. The receiver susceptibility thresholds in the post-acquisition mode were then measured for various interference signal frequencies and modulations. Both receivers exhibited very low susceptibility thresholds to in-band continuous wave (CW) signals. In addition, both receivers could be over-driven with an out-of-band signal. In this state the receivers indicated acceptable figures of merit despite loss of satellite signal lock     

Subspace array processing for the suppression of FM jamming in GPS receivers

The mitigation of FM interference in GPS receivers is considered. In difference to commonly assumed wideband and narrowband interferers, the FM interferers are wideband, but instantaneously narrowband, and as such, have clear time-frequency (TF) signatures that are distinct from the GPS coarse acquisition (C/A) spread spectrum code. In the proposed technique, the estimate of the FM interference instantaneous frequency (IF) and the interference spatial signature are used to construct the spatiotemporal interference subspace. The IF estimates can be provided using existing effective linear or bilinear TF methods. The undesired signal arrival is suppressed by projecting the input data on the interference orthogonal subspace. With a multisensor receiver, the distinctions in both the spatial and TF signatures of signal arrivals allow effective interference suppressions. The deterministic nature of the signal model is considered and the known underlying structure of the GPS C/A code is utilized. We derive the receiver signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) under exact and perturbed IF values. The effect of IF estimation errors on both pseudorange measurements and navigation data recovery is analyzed. Simulation results comparing the receiver performances under IF errors in single and multiantenna GPS receivers are provided.     

FOPEN SAR imaging using UWB step-frequency and random noisewaveforms

The detection and identification of targets obscured by foliage have been topics of great interest. Several synthetic aperture radar (SAR) experiments have demonstrated promising images of terrain and man-made objects obscured by dense foliage, by using either linear frequency modulation (LFM) or step-frequency waveforms. We present here the methodology and results of a comparative study on foliage penetration (FOPEN) SAR imaging using ultrawideband (UWB) step-frequency and random noise waveforms. A statistical-physical foliage transmission model is developed for simulation applications. The foliage obscuring pattern is analyzed by means of the technique of paired echoes. The results of the comparative study demonstrates the ability of a UHF band UWB random noise radar to be used as a FOPEN SAR. Advantages of the random noise radar system include covert detection and immunity to radio frequency interference (RFI)     

Codes cross-correlation analysis and data/pilot code pairs optimization for Galileo E1 OS and GPS L1C

The Galileo E1 open service (OS) and the global positioning system (GPS) L1C are intending to use the multiplexed binary offset carrier (MBOC) modulation in E1/L1 band, including both pilot and data components. The impact of data and pilot codes cross-correlation on the distortion of the discriminator function (i.e., the S-curve) is investigated, when only the pilot (or data) components of MBOC signals are tracked. It is shown that the modulation schemes and the receiver configuration (e.g., the correlator spacing) strongly affect the S-curve bias. In this paper, two methods are proposed to optimize the data/pilot code pairs of Galileo E1 OS and GPS L1C. The optimization goal is to obtain the minimum average S-curve bias when tracking only the pilot components a the specific correlator spacing. Figures of merit, such as S-curve bias, correlation loss and code tracking variance have been adopted for analyzing and comparing the un-optimized and optimized code pairs. Simulation results show that the optimized data/pilot code pairs could significantly mitigate the intra-channel codes cross-correlation, and then improve the code tracking performance of MBOC signals.     

Performance Analysis of Monopulse Receivers for Secondary Surveillance Radar

In modern secondary surveillance radar (SSR) the monopulse technique is currently introduced for the measurement of the azimuth of the targets. The monopulse technique is based on a suitable processing of signals received by a multiple antenna. In SSR the signals are generated by a transponder on the aircraft as replies to interrogations from ground equipment, and consist of trains of pulses. The monopulse measurements can be carried out on the basis of a single pulse from each train, so that it provides a great number of azimuth estimates. Many monopulse measurement devices exist, corresponding to different processing techniques. From the point of view of accuracy and precision, their behaviors differ with respect to the sources of errors, both internal (noise and imperfect calibrations) and external (interference and propagation effects). The four main types of monopulse receivers are analyzed here with respect to the effects of the internal error sources on the resulting measurement accuracy. After an introductory discussion of the performances of the receivers, a detailed analysis is carried out on the basis of a general mathematical model. The results are given in an analytical form and in some comprehensive diagrams.     

Galileo AltBOC signal multiresolution acquisition strategy

Herein, some critical aspects related to the acquisition of the future Galileo signals are discussed. In particular, the Alternative Binary Offset Carrier (AItBOC) modulation that will be used by the Galileo satellites to broadcast navigation signals on the E5 band is considered, addressing acquisition issues only partially analyzed in previous works. The implementation of an acquisition section for the AltBOC signals is not straightforward, since several different receiver architectures can be used and remarkable differences are required with respect to the conventional signal processing used in GPS receivers. The main problems that must be handled (risk of false lock, resolution of the search space, and computational burden) are outlined in the following. An innovative technique, called multiresolution acquisition and tailored to the AltBOC signals, is then proposed as an effective solution to previous problems. As demonstrated by means of simulations, this novel strategy can be successfully used in coherent dual-band AltBOC receiver architectures with a feasible implementation complexity and it leads to remarkable advantages in terms of acquisition time.     

Low C/N_0 Carrier Tracking Loop Based on Optimal Estimation Algorithm in GPS Software Receivers

Suppressing jitter noises in a phase locked loop(PLL) is of great importance in order to keep precise and continuous track of global positioning system(GPS) signals characterized by low carrier-to-noise ratio(C/N0).This article proposes and analyzes an improved Kalman-filter-based PLL to process weak carrier signals in GPS software receivers.After reviewing the optimal-bandwidth-based traditional second-order PLL,a Kalman-filter-based estimation algorithm is implemented for the new PLL by decorrelating the model error noises and the measurement noises.Finally,the efficiency of this new Kalman-filter-based PLL is verified by experimental data.Compared to the traditional second-order PLL,this new PLL is in position to make correct estimation of the carrier phase differences and Doppler shifts with less overshoots and noise disturbances and keeps an effective check on the disturbances out of jitter noises in PLL.The results show that during processing normal signals,this improved PLL reduces the standard deviation from 0.010 69 cycle to 0.007 63 cycle,and for weak signal processing,the phase jitter range and the Doppler shifts can be controlled within ±17° and ±5Hz as against ±25° and ±15 Hz by the traditional PLL.     

I: PRECISE ORBIT DETERMINATION AND GRAVITY FIELD MODELLING: Strategies for Precise Orbit Determination of Low Earth Orbiters Using the GPS

Considerable experience accumulated during the past decade in strategies for processing GPS data from ground-based geodetic receivers. First experience on the use of GPS observations from spaceborne receivers for orbit determination of satellites on low altitude orbits was gained with the launch of TOPEX/POSEIDON ten years ago. The launch of the CHAMP satellite in July 2000 stimulated a number of activities worldwide on improving the strategies and algorithms for orbit determination for Low Earth Orbiters (LEOs) using the GPS. Similar strategies as for ground-based receivers are applied to data from spaceborne GPS receivers to determine high precision orbits. Zero- and double-differencing techniques are applied to obtain kinematic and/or reduced-dynamic orbits with an accuracy which is today at the decimeter level. Further developments in modeling and processing strategies will continuously improve the quality of GPS-derived LEO orbits in the near future. A significant improvement can be expected from fixing double-difference phase ambiguities to integer numbers. Particular studies focus on the impact of a combined processing of LEO and GPS orbits on the quality of orbits and the reference frame realization. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于地基伪卫星的GPS对抗方法研究

借用伪卫星的概念，提出了一种基于地基伪卫星的GPS对抗方法，该方法充分利用非对抗区域的GPS资源，通过把分布式转发和伪星座技术相结合的方式，对对抗区域内敌方GPS接收机实施欺骗干扰，同时还能确保该区内己方GPS接收机的正常定位。文中着重讨论了该方法的实现原理、组成结构、定位解算方法和对抗实施步骤，并以一计算实例验证了实施的可行性。     

脉冲干扰对软件接收机的影响分析

卫星信号经过长距离传播,信号能量损耗严重,到达地面的功率很弱,容易受到各种干扰的影响。脉冲干扰为常见的干扰类型,所以针对不同功率、不同周期,以及不同占空比的脉冲干扰信号,通过接收前端采集受脉冲干扰的GPS L1信号,利用软件接收机及多相关器生成技术,详细分析了脉冲干扰对接收机信号捕获与跟踪性能的影响。分析结果表明,周期为1ms的脉冲干扰信号,能对接收机产生强烈的干扰效果,捕获图中的噪声明显增大;跟踪过程中,载噪比和相关值突发性减小,造成跟踪数据异常。而长周期的脉冲信号仅在脉冲到达时影响接收机的捕获和跟踪,但由于信号跟踪不能连续进行,导致伪距观测量的不连续与导航数据不能正常解码,从而干扰接收机。     

Application of successive interference cancellation to the GPS pseudolite near-far problem

Ground-based transmitters called pseudolites have been proposed to augment the basic Global Positioning System (GPS) in environments where satellite visibility is limited. One difficulty in their use is the so-called near-far problem, where in close proximity to the ground transmitter, the pseudolite signal can be orders of magnitude stronger than the satellite signals. This large range of signal levels prevents a conventional receiver from simultaneously detecting both types of signals. This paper describes the application of a signal processing technique, known as successive interference cancellation (SIC), to the acquisition and tracking of weak satellite signals in the presence of a nearby pseudolite and possible multipath reflections of this pseudolite signal. The SIC architecture is implemented on simulated and experimental near-far data sets. The results are compared with a conventional detector and improvements in acquisition and tracking performance are illustrated.     

Next generation GPS-aided space navigation systems

The next generation of low cost Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for space navigation and attitude determination are positioned to take full advantage of the improvements made in the commercial GPS receivers used for terrestrial applications. There have been recent improvements made to the GPS receivers that include the addition of extra GPS satellite channels that can be tracked simultaneously. The older style GPS receivers were only able to handle five channels at a time. In order for proper determination of three-dimensional position, a minimum of four channels was required and the fifth channel of the receiver was reserved to perform search functions for finding the next satellite. This included searching for satellites that could be used to replace exiting satellites moving out of the Field of View (FOV). The search function also enables the GPS receiver to search for the best constellation for maximum performance accuracy. The fifth roaming channel also provided a best next-satellite selection capability in case the field of view to one of the satellites was blocked or shaded.     

ECCM capabilities of an ultrawideband bandlimited random noise imaging radar

Investigated here is high-resolution imaging of targets in noisy or unfriendly radar environments through a simulation analysis of the ultrawideband (UWB) continuous-wave (CW) bandlimited random noise waveform. The linear FM chirp signal was selected as a benchmark radar waveform for comparison purposes. Simulation of the recovery of various types of target reflectivity functions (TRFs) for these waveforms were performed and analyzed. In addition, electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities for both types of systems were investigated. The results are compared using the error between the interference (jamming)-free recovered TRF and the recovered TRF under noisy conditions as a function of the signal-to-interference/jamming ratio (SIR/SJR). Our analysis shows that noise waveforms possess better jamming immunity (of the order of 5-10 dB improvement over the linear FM chirp) due to the unique radar correlation processing in the receiver.     

CW alternatives to the coherent pulse train-signals and processors

Continuous wave (CW) signals phase modulated by a periodic waveform, and their corresponding receivers, are discussed. The combined response in delay and Doppler is almost identical to the (ideal) response of the coherent pulse train. The receivers are matched to an integral number N of modulation periods of the transmitted signal. CW implies a duty cycle of 100%. However, the signal duration need not be longer than N+2 periods. The CW signals have the advantage that their peak power is equal to the average power. Their disadvantages are more complicated receiver processing and the need for two antennas     

Constrained bandwidth waveforms with minimal dilation sensitivity

Bandpass waveforms which have envelopes which are insensitive to this velocity-induced time dilation can be efficiently processed by narrowband receivers in which envelope correlation is fixed and Doppler tested using fast Fourier transform (FFT) processing. The peak level of the waveform ambiguity function (AF) can be used to gauge the distortion of the waveform induced by dilation. The degree of AF attenuation is shown to be proportional to the dilation parameter or velocity, waveform traveling wave (TW) product, and a sensitivity parameter which depends on the envelope function utilized. Classes of symmetric, constrained bandwidth, phase modulated envelope functions which are minimally dilation sensitive (Doppler tolerant) are derived. When the resulting waveforms are used with a simple correlation receiver structure and the echo data is derived from slowly fluctuating point scattering in white Gaussian noise, the receiver becomes an uncoupled joint estimator of delay and dilation (Doppler). In the case of the bandpass waveforms, only odd symmetry of the phase modulation (PM) yields an uncoupled estimator     

量化对GPS接收机捕获性能影响的研究

由于接收机输入端的信噪比对接收机的捕获性能具有很重要的意义,所以要尽量减少接收机输入端信噪比的损失。本文首先给出了含高斯白噪声的GPS信号经过不同量化位数和量化电平的量化器后的输出信噪比计算公式;然后,在此基础上分析其对接收机捕获性能的影响;最后,仿真实验表明,接收机可以在不影响捕获性能的情况下,尽量选择合适的量化位数和量化门限。实验结果也为量化器的设计提供了重要的技术参考。     

步进频雷达成像技术研究进展

步进频雷达发射窄带脉冲,利用多个脉冲合成宽带成像,对发射、接收分系统和信号处理平台的要求相对较低,是获得目标高分辨距离像的一种有效技术手段.从雷达系统设计和工程应用的角度出发,对目前国内外研究提出的具有代表性的几种步进频成像频域方法和时域方法进行了论述;介绍了不同处理方法在雷达波形和工作方式设计、合成宽带成像的性能、工程实现难度和适用任务场景等方面的优点和不足;探讨了各种方法工程应用的可能性.相对于其他方法,一种基于子脉冲去斜的步进频合成宽带方法在工程上更易于实施.     

Multicomponent receiver architectures for GPS interference suppression

The global positioning system (GPS) is a one-way satellite-based navigation system employing spread-spectrum techniques that is widely used for commercial and military applications. Although the very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is handled by the large spreading gain, GPS is susceptible to high-power interference signals and various types of jammers. We propose multicomponent receiver architectures for GPS interference suppression. A conventional antenna system is first considered which utilizes a minimum-variance distortionless-response (MVDR) beam former and assumes that the GPS signal angle of arrival (AOA) and the antenna model are known at the receiver. However, this receiver is sensitive to AOA estimation errors and can have a high computational complexity. This sensitivity problem is eliminated by a multicomponent system based on a multistage matched filter (MF). Since this MF receiver also has a high computational complexity because the jammer AOAs must be estimated, we introduce a blind interference canceler based on the constant modulus (CM) array that is insensitive to AOA estimation errors and has a low computational complexity. Computer simulations are provided to illustrate the performance of the various systems for interference suppression in example signal scenarios.