GPS code and carrier multipath mitigation using a multiantennasystem

Multipath is a major source of error in high precision Global Positioning System (GPS) static and kinematic differential positioning. Multipath accounts for most of the total error budget in carrier phase measurements in a spacecraft attitude determination system. It is a major concern in reference stations, such as in Local Area Augmentation Systems (LAAS), whereby corrections generated by a reference station, which are based on multipath corrupted measurements, can significantly influence the position accuracy of differential users. Code range, carrier phase, and signal-to-noise (SNR) measurements are all affected by multipath, and the effect is spatially correlated within a small area. In order to estimate and remove code and carrier phase multipath, a system comprising a cluster of five GPS receivers and antennas is used at a reference station location. The spatial correlation of the receiver data, and the known geometry among the antennas, are exploited to estimate multipath for each satellite in each antenna in the system. Generic receiver code and carrier tracking loop discriminator functions are analyzed, and relationships between receiver data, such as code range, carrier phase, and SNR measurements, are formulated and related to various multipath parameters. A Kalman filter is described which uses a combination of the available information from the antennas (receivers) in the multiantenna cluster to estimate various multipath parameters. From the multipath parameters, the code range and carrier phase multipath is estimated and compensated. The technique is first tested on simulated data in a controlled multipath environment. Results are then presented using field data and show a significant reduction in multipath error     

The Polar plasma wave instrument

The Plasma Wave Instrument on the Polar spacecraft is designed to provide measurements of plasma waves in the Earth's polar regions over the frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 800 kHz. Three orthogonal electric dipole antennas are used to detect electric fields, two in the spin plane and one aligned along the spacecraft spin axis. A magnetic loop antenna and a triaxial magnetic search coil antenna are used to detect magnetic fields. Signals from these antennas are processed by five receiver systems: a wideband receiver, a high-frequency waveform receiver, a low-frequency waveform receiver, two multichannel analyzers; and a pair of sweep frequency receivers. Compared to previous plasma wave instruments, the Polar plasma wave instrument has several new capabilities. These include (1) an expanded frequency range to improve coverage of both low- and high-frequency wave phenomena, (2) the ability to simultaneously capture signals from six orthogonal electric and magnetic field sensors, and (3) a digital wideband receiver with up to 8-bit resolution and sample rates as high as 249k samples s^–1.     

System quality factors for LPI communications

Quality factors are developed for low-probability-intercept (LPI) communication systems in order to provide a quantitative technique that allows the system engineer to evaluate LPI effectiveness in the presence of jammers and intercept receivers. LPI quality factors are derived from the system link equations, which describe the signal power gains and losses as a function of system link parameters. Quality factors for the essential components of the LPI system that provide some advantage to the cooperative transmitter and receiver over the jammer and intercept receiver are described. These include quality factors for the antennas, type of modulation, atmospheric propagation conditions, and interference rejection capability     

宽波束中继技术在空间站任务中的应用研究

针对航天器现有窄波束中继终端天线在姿态快速变化及姿态异常条件下提供测控支持的局限性,提出了利用宽波束中继技术提供测控通信支持的方案。基于宽波束中继天线性能、天地链路性能对测控通信支持的影响分析,提出了改善链路性能的优化方案。结合空间站任务载人航天器各阶段测控通信支持的特点,分析了宽波束中继在入轨段、长期运行段和返回段的应用。分析结果表明:宽波束中继可为载人航天器从海南发射场发射时的入轨提供测控支持,也可为载人飞船返回提供测控支持。     

ATS-6 Interferometer

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) RF interferometer is utilized primarily as a precision 3-axis attitude sensor having an unambiguous field of view of 350°. This function requires two separated ground transmitters, each using one of the two available frequency channels or sharing a single channel by time multiplexing. For 3-axis control, one uplink transmitter can provide 2-axis attitude (pitch and roll) with other sensors (e.g., a Polaris tracker) providing yaw attitude. By utilizing two uplink transmitters and the Earth sensor or three time multiplexed uplink transmitters, the interferometer can also provide measurements of ATS-6 spacecraft orbit position. Uplink frequencies are 6.150 and 6.155 GHz. The receiving antennas are spaced at 19.95 wavelengths (?) for the vernier baseline and 1.66 ? for the coarse baseline. Spacecraft system weight is 8.39 kg (18.5 lb) and power requirement is 15.5 W. Flight evaluation results are given for the interferometer including R F link budgets, modulation of uplink carrier, signal-to-noise ratio, and dropout behavior. A hardware calibration model is described, containing major biases in the phase measurements. Techniques for flight calibration as both an attitude and spacecraft position sensor are outlined . Flight testing has shown that on-line calibration of receiver/converter biases must be performed on a short term routine basis. Interferometer resolution was found to be 0.00140 space angle with negligible noise (jitter) at transmitted power levels above 72 dBW. As an attitude sensor, the interferometer has demonstrated the ability to provide stabilization to better than 0.     

DOA estimation for attitude determination on communication satellites

In order to determine an appropriate attitude of three-axis stabilized communication satellites, this paper describes a novel attitude determination method using direction of arrival （DOA） estimation of a ground signal source. It differs from optical measurement, magnetic field measurement, inertial measurement, and global positioning system （GPS） attitude determination. The proposed method is characterized by taking the ground signal source as the attitude reference and acquiring attitude information from DOA estimation. Firstly, an attitude measurement equation with DOA estimation is derived in detail. Then, the error of the measurement equation is analyzed. Finally, an attitude determination algorithm is presented using a dynamic model, the attitude measurement equation, and measurement errors. A developing low Earth orbit （LEO） satellite which tests mobile communication technology with smart antennas can be stabilized in three axes by corporately using a magnetometer, reaction wheels, and three-axis magnetorquer rods. Based on the communication satellite, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The method could be a backup of attitude determination to prevent a system failure on the satellite. Its precision depends on the number of snapshots and the input signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） with DOA estimation.     

表面不连续特征双站散射特性的试验研究

 采用一种新颖的不连续特征双站雷达散射截面（RCS）测试方法,通过系列化测试,研究了单直缝隙板、单直台阶板的双站散射特性,提出了不连续特征双站散射具有相似性、对称性和平移性的特点,分析了不同不连续特征具有的异同点。试验结果表明：对不连续特征,不同双站下的RCS散射曲线均具有和对应入射频率下的单站散射曲线分布形式相似的特点,同时不同的不连续特征对幅值的影响不同;如果测试方式和试验件对称,则双站和单站散射曲线均具有关于峰值所在方位角对称的特点,单直缝隙板由于试验件本身的对称性表现为较好的曲线对称性,而单直台阶板则表现为稍弱的对称性;散射曲线随双站角的增大,具有明显的平移特性,平移的幅度为双站角的1/2,平移方向为从发射天线指向接收天线,平移后的曲线峰值处于发射天线和接收天线夹角平分线上。     

ATS-6 Description and Performance

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 (ATS-6) uses a 9l1-r parabolic antenna with high gain to enable communications with simple, low-cost ground stations with 3-m-diameter antennas. The structural system met all of its requirements, deployed properly, and preserved sensor alignment within 0.1 degree. The thermal control system has kept all temperatures within specified limits. The communications subsystem in-orbit performance has also exceeded specifications with high receiver gain-to-temperature ratios and high transmitter El RP. The spacecraft propulsion system performance has been within specifications. The near-perfect geosynchronous orbit achieved by the Titan IIIC resulted in a 8-kg fuel saving which should extend mission life. The attitude and control subsystem is providing the necessary stabilization and accurate slewing control. The electrical power subsystem provided 40 W more than the specified value at the last summer solstice. The telemetry and command subsystem performance has also been nominal.     

The Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation

The Cassini radio and plasma wave investigation is designed to study radio emissions, plasma waves, thermal plasma, and dust in the vicinity of Saturn. Three nearly orthogonal electric field antennas are used to detect electric fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 16 MHz, and three orthogonal search coil magnetic antennas are used to detect magnetic fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 12 kHz. A Langmuir probe is used to measure the electron density and temperature. Signals from the electric and magnetic antennas are processed by five receiver systems: a high frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 3.5 kHz to 16 MHz, a medium frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 24 Hz to 12 kHz, a low frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 26 Hz, a five-channel waveform receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 2.5 kHz in two bands, 1 Hz to 26 Hz and 3 Hz to 2.5 kHz, and a wideband receiver that has two frequency bands, 60 Hz to 10.5 kHz and 800 Hz to 75 kHz. In addition, a sounder transmitter can be used to stimulate plasma resonances over a frequency range from 3.6 kHz to 115.2 kHz. Fluxes of micron-sized dust particles can be counted and approximate masses of the dust particles can be determined using the same techniques as Voyager. Compared to Voyagers 1 and 2, which are the only spacecraft that have made radio and plasma wave measurements in the vicinity of Saturn, the Cassini radio and plasma wave instrument has several new capabilities. These include (1) greatly improved sensitivity and dynamic range, (2) the ability to perform direction-finding measurements of remotely generated radio emissions and wave normal measurements of plasma waves, (3) both active and passive measurements of plasma resonances in order to give precise measurements of the local electron density, and (4) Langmuir probe measurements of the local electron density and temperature. With these new capabilities, it will be possible to perform a broad range of studies of radio emissions, wave-particle interactions, thermal plasmas and dust in the vicinity of Saturn.DeceasedThis revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

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.     

Kalman Estimation and Control of Dual-Spin Satellites

lt is necessary to maintain the spin axis of dual-spin geostationary communications satellites with nontracking ground antennas to within 0.1 degree of the orbit normal by periodic attitude corrections. Normally, the data for attitude estimation are determined from the analog sensor waveforms telemetered to the ground station. This information is supplied to the attitude determination program, which processes the data and outputs the right ascension and declination of the spin axis. An application of the extended Kalman/ filter in estimating the attitude of dual-spin geostationary satellites is presented. The precession of the angular momentum vector by the solar radia-tion torque is considered to be the only natural attitude perturbation. The orbital dynamics are considered to be known and are decoupled from the attitude dynamics. A periodic attitude control policy is then derived.     

Electronically Tracking Antenna System for Satellite Reception

This correspondence describes a novel electronically tracking antenna system for satellite reception in the VHF range. The "hedgehog" antenna consists of several antennas directed in different directions to cover the whole sky. An electronic switch, controlled by the satellite receiver, connects the receiver to the antenna from which the desired satellite signal is obtained. This system is especially suitable for unmanned reliable receiving stations if an antenna gain of the order of 10 dB is enough.     

Clutter Suppression by Complex Weighting of Coherent Pulse Trains

Uniform coherent pulse trains offer a practical solution to the problem of designing a radar signal possessing both high range and range-rate resolution. The Doppler sensitivity provides some rejection of off-Doppler (clutter) returns in the matched filter receiver. This paper considers the use of a processor in which members of the received pulse train are selectively weighted in amplitude and phase to improve clutter suppression. The techniques described are particularly suitable for rejecting interference entering the processor through ambiguous responses (range sidelobes) of the signal. The complex weights which are derived are optimum in the sense that they produce the maximum clutter suppression for a given detection efficiency. In determining these weights, it is assumed that the distribution of clutter in range and range rate relative to targets of interest is known. Thus, clutter suppression is achieved by reducing the sidelobe levels in specified regions of the receiver response. These techniques are directly applicable to array antennas; the analogous antenna problem would be to reduce sidelobe levels in a particular sector while preserving gain. Complex weighting is most successful when the clutter is limited in both range and velocity.     

Instantaneous GPS attitude determination

A procedure for instantaneous GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) attitude determination, i.e., a solution for the GPS integrated carrier Doppler wavelength ambiguities using only measurements at a single epoch, is described. Most previous techniques to solve the phase ambiguity problem have required some form of time history processing relying on GPS satellite and/or user motion to provide enough geometry change to eliminate false solutions. The algorithm described assumes three noncollinear antennas and integrated carrier Doppler measurements from four or more satellites. Double-difference processing provides at least three independent observables for the two antenna separation vectors to compute the three attitude Euler angles     

中继卫星系统动力学分析

应用单摆模型来等效液体晃动，并利用拉格朗日方程建立了中继卫星的动力学方程。在确定天线跟踪规律的基础上，从工程实际的角度分析了天线和星体之间的耦合作用。考虑天线不同的跟踪模式，将卫星的本体视为刚性体，在星体无控情况下进行系统的动力学响应分析。通过数值仿真确定天线在不同跟踪模式下对星体姿态的影响，并通过有无柔性振动和液体晃动结果的分析，得出天线运动特别是高速回扫、附件柔性振动都会对星体姿态产生比较大的影响，而液体晃动对星体姿态影响不大的结论。     

DF Vectoring: Application to Stationary Synchronous Satellites

Several methods of using an earth-based radio reference signal to determine the three-axis attitude of a synchronous satellite, and two types of spacecraft electronic systems (amplitude measurement and phase measurement), which obtain attitude and pointing information from the radio reference signal for orientating the spacecraft and for directing large-aperture antennas aboard the spacecraft are described. The earth-based radio reference signal also enables the electronic systems to determine angles to other ground stations with respect to fixed (reference) stations on the earth. These attitude- and angle-determining techniques are applicable to communications satellites, navigational satellites, and intersatellite data relay systems.     

Moving target localization in distributed MIMO radar with transmitter and receiver location uncertainties

In this paper, the problem of moving target localization from Bistatic Range(BR) and Bistatic Range Rate(BRR) measurements in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output(MIMO) radar system having widely separated antennas is investigated. We consider a practically motivated scenario,where the accurate knowledge of transmitter and receiver locations is not known and only the nominal values are available for processing. With the transmitter and receiver location uncertainties,which are usually neglected in MIMO radar systems by prior studies, taken into account in the measurement model, we develop a novel algebraic solution to reduce the estimation error for moving target localization. The proposed algorithm is based on the pseudolinear set of equations and two-step weighted least squares estimation. The Cramer-Rao Lower Bound(CRLB) is derived in the presence of transmitter and receiver location uncertainties. Theoretical accuracy analysis demonstrates that the proposed solution attains the CRLB, and numerical examples show that the proposed solution achieves significant performance improvement over the existing algorithms.     

Observer-based control for the platform of a tethered space robot

This paper addresses the attitude control problem of a space tethered robot platform in the presence of unknown external disturbance caused by a connecting elastic tether. The tether-generated unknown disturbance leads to tremendous challenges for attitude control of the platform. In this work, the perturbed attitude dynamics of the platform are derived with a consideration of the libration of the elastic tether, and then with the purpose of compensating the unknown disturbance, major attention is dedicated to develop a nonlinear disturbance observer based on gyros measurements, after which, an adaptive attitude scheme is proposed by combining the disturbance observer with a sliding mode controller. Finally, benefits from the observer based on an adaptive controller are validated by series of numerical simulations.     

Integer ambiguity resolution in GPS for spinning spacecrafts

A procedure to compute the integer ambiguity problem when a GPS receiver is used in a multiple antenna configuration attached to a rotating spacecraft is presented. The method is applied to a simulation of an experimental satellite which uses the GPS receiver for attitude determination     

基于模糊自适应卡尔曼滤波的大气数据辅助姿态算法

 针对中低精度航姿参考系统(AHRS)在机体机动时不能利用加速度计修正水平姿态,以及噪声统计特性随实际工作情况变化的问题,提出了一种基于模糊自适应卡尔曼滤波的大气数据辅助姿态解算的方法。首先,考虑大气数据系统和航姿参考系统的优势,利用真空速、攻角和侧滑角等大气数据信息对非重力加速度进行补偿,以辅助水平姿态解算;其次,基于模糊自适应卡尔曼滤波原理,对观测模型的参数进行估计和修正,以实现水平姿态的最优估计;最后,选取某型飞机的试飞数据进行仿真验证。仿真结果表明,该方法可使飞机的水平姿态估计精度达到1.3°,且在偏差较大时有明显的纠偏作用。因此,相对于无机动加速度补偿和常规卡尔曼滤波来说,该方法能够更好地进行姿态估计,具有一定的实用价值。