Search Results (32)

The emerging development of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) software receivers has opened new opportunities in diverse operations. However, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) concatenated signal reception is one prevalent deterioration factor causing positioning errors in urban scenarios. To enhance integrity and reliability through receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) techniques in urban environments, distinguishing between line-of-sight (LOS) and NLOS signals facilitates the exclusion of NLOS channels: this is challenging due to uncertain signal reflections/refractions from diverse obstruction conditions in the built environment. Moreover, NLOS features show similarity to multipath effects like scattering and diffraction which causes difficulty in identifying the NLOS type. Recent work exploited NLOS detections with multi-correlator outputs using neural networks that outperform using signal strength techniques for NLOS detection. This paper proposes a neural network approach designed to recognise and learn spatial features among early, late, and prompt correlator outputs, differentiating between correlations, and also by memorising temporal features to acquire propagation information. Specifically, the spatial features of correlator IQ streams are derived from convolutional layers incorporated with concatenations, to formulate associate models like early-minus-late discrimination. A Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), i.e., long short-term memory (LSTM), is integrated to obtain comprehensive temporal features; hereby, a softmax classifier is appended in the last layer to distinguish between NLOS and LOS signals. By simulating synthetic datasets generated by a Spirent simulator and captured by a software-defined radio (SDR), the correlator outputs are acquired during the scalar tracking stage. The product of the proposed network demonstrates high performance in terms of accuracy, time consumption and sensitivity, affirming the efficiency of utilising early-stage correlations for NLOS detection. Moreover, an impact analysis of varying the sliding window length on NLOS discrimination underscores the need to fine-tune the parameter, as well as balancing accuracy, operation complexity and sensitivity. Full article

Mitigating multipath interference is one of the biggest challenges in radio positioning. The Supercorrelation™ technology developed via Focal Point Positioning (FPP) suppresses multipath interference by performing long coherent integration while undergoing complex motion to isolate the Line-Of-Sight (LOS) signals from the unwanted multipath interference.This article presents live results with a Supercorrelating Global Navigation Satellite System (S-GNSS) Software-Defined Radio (SDR), demonstrating significantly suppressed multipath to regain position accuracy. Full article

The Lunar Augmented Navigation Service (LANS) is the lunar equivalent of GNSS for future lunar explorations. It offers users accurate position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities on and around the Moon. The Augmented Forward Signal (AFS) is a standardized signal structure for LANS, and its recommended standard was published online on 7 February 2025. This work presents software-defined radio (SDR) implementations of the LANS AFS simulator and receiver, which were rapidly developed within a month of the signal specification release. Based on open-source GNSS software, including GPS-SDR-SIM and Pocket SDR, our system provides a valuable platform for future algorithm research and hardware-in-the-loop testing. The receiver can operate on embedded platforms, such as the Raspberry Pi 5, in real-time. This feature makes it suitable for lunar surface applications, where conventional PC-based SDR systems are impractical due to their size, weight, and power requirements. Our approach demonstrates how open-source SDR frameworks can be rapidly applied to emerging satellite navigation signals, even for extraterrestrial PNT applications. Full article

Galileo Signal Authentication Service (SAS) is an assisted signal authentication capability under development by Galileo, designed to enhance the robustness of the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) against malicious attacks like spoofing. It operates by providing information about some fragments of the unknown spreading codes in the E6-C signal. Unlike other approaches, Galileo SAS uniquely employs Timed Efficient Stream Loss-tolerant Authentication (TESLA) keys provided by Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) in the E1-B signal for decryption, avoiding the need for key storage in potentially compromised receivers. The encrypted fragments are made available to the receivers before the broadcast of the E6-C signal, along with their broadcast time. However, if the receiver lacks an accurate time reference, searching for these fragments—which typically last for milliseconds and have periodicities extending to several seconds—can become impractical. In such cases, the probability of detection is severely diminished due to the excessively large search space that results. To mitigate this, initial estimates for the code phase delay and Doppler frequency can be obtained from the E1-B signal. Nevertheless, the alignment between E1-B and E6-C is not perfect, largely due to the intrinsic inter-frequency biases they exhibit. To mitigate this issue, we can leverage auxiliary signals like E6-B, processed by High Accuracy Service (HAS)-compatible receivers. This is a logical choice as E6-B shares the same carrier frequency as E6-C. This could help in obtaining more precise estimates of the location of the encrypted fragments and improving the probability of detection, resulting in enhanced robustness for the SAS authentication process. This paper presents a comparison of uncertainties associated with the use of the E1-B and E6-B signals, based on real data samples obtained with a custom-built Galileo SAS evaluation platform based on Software Defined Radio (SDR) boards. The results show the benefits of including E6-B in SAS processing, with minimal implementation cost. Full article

This paper deals with the concept of a GNSS monitoring network, which fulfills requirements in relation to sustainability, cost efficiency and flexibility. For the proposed approach, the hardware of the GNSS monitoring stations should be reduced to a minimum. Therefore, Remote Radio Head sensors or especially RF Front-Ends, which are already used in the field of GNSS, should be used. In this concept, GNSS network stations are equipped with an antenna, an RF Front-End, and hardware for data transfer (raw I&Q samples) to a central processing facility. The idea is to realize a collaborative processing of all receivers with a Multi-Receiver-Vector Tracking (MRVT) algorithm in one single Software-Defined GNSS receiver (SDR). Full article

In the context of the Jammertest 2023, a collaborative experiment was carried out by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Space Operations Centre of ESA (ESOC), the Norwegian Communication Authority, and the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) to explore potential RF interference monitoring in the navigation GNSS band from LEO. The experiment utilizes the ESA OPS-SAT satellite and the possibility of transmitting a custom jamming signal pattern during the Jammertest event. The objective is to validate the feasibility of detecting and locating ground-generated jamming signals using SDR technology on-board LEO. The insight into the signal structure and location provides a unique chance to assess the performance and limitations of this approach in a real-world scenario. This paper presents the processing of raw RF data collected during the in-flight experiment, including the generation of frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) observables and emitter geolocation. Despite the constraints posed by onboard resources and mission limitations, this work offers a persuasive proof of concept and suggests new guidelines for implementing this technology on future LEO missions. Full article

This paper addresses the feasibility of implementing spatial diversity techniques to mitigate interference signals using low-cost GNSS receivers. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) remain at the core of navigation technologies and obtaining precise and robust positioning solutions in harsh scenarios becomes essential for the proper functioning of modern applications. Furthermore, this challenge is even more complex when mass-market receivers are addressed, since the previous requirements must be achieved while maintaining low-cost architectures. A promising solution is to use beamforming techniques, which exploit the spatial domain to achieve enhanced reliability and robustness. In this paper, the potential of beamforming in mass-market receivers is analyzed by implementing two interference mitigation techniques and using a five-channel low-cost software defined radio (SDR), KrakenSDR. The results show that the algorithms implemented are able to mitigate strong interference signals, allowing the GNSS receiver to compute an accurate positioning solution. Full article

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) meta-signals are obtained when components from different frequencies are jointly processed as a single entity. While most research work has focused on GNSS meta-signals made of two side-band components, meta-signal theory has been recently extended to the case where the number of components is a power of two. This condition was dictated by the use of multicomplex numbers for the representation of GNSS meta-signals. Multicomplex numbers are multi-dimensional extensions of complex numbers whose dimension is a power of two. In this paper, the theory is further extended and a procedure for the construction of GNSS meta-signals with an arbitrary number of components is provided. Also in this case, multicomplex numbers are used to effectively represent a GNSS meta-signal. From this representation, multi-dimensional Cross Ambiguity Functions (CAFs) are obtained and used to derive acquisition and tracking algorithms suitable for the joint processing of components from different frequencies. The specific case with three components is analysed. Theoretical results are supported by experimental findings obtained by jointly processing Galileo E5a, E5b and E6 signals collected using three synchronized Software-Defined Radio (SDR) HackRF One front-ends. Experimental results confirm the validity of the developed theory. Full article

The increasing reliance of Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) on the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) for precise positioning and timing information has raised significant concerns regarding their vulnerability to spoofing attacks. This research proposes a novel approach to mitigate BeiDou spoofing attacks in VANETs by leveraging a hybrid machine learning model that combines XGBoost and Random Forest with a Kalman Filter for real-time anomaly detection in BeiDou signals. It also introduces a geospatial message authentication mechanism to enhance vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication security. The research investigates low-cost and accessible countermeasures against spoofing attacks using COTS receivers and open-source SDRs. Spoofing attack scenarios are implemented in both software and hardware domains using an open-source BeiDou signal simulator to examine the effects of different spoofing attacks on victim receivers and identify detection methods for each type, focusing on pre-correlation techniques with power-related metrics and signal quality monitoring using correlator values. The emulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in detecting and mitigating BeiDou spoofing attacks in VANETs, ensuring the integrity and reliability of safety-critical information. This research contributes to the development of robust security mechanisms for VANETs and has practical implications for enhancing the resilience of transportation systems against spoofing threats. Future research will focus on extending the proposed approach to other GNSS constellations and exploring the integration of additional security measures to further strengthen VANET security. Full article

Increased interest in the development and integration of navigation and positioning services into a wide range of receivers makes them susceptible to a variety of security attacks such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) jamming and spoofing attacks. The availability of low-cost devices including software-defined radios (SDRs) provides a wide accessibility of affordable platforms that can be used to perform these attacks. Early detection of jamming and spoofing interferences is essential for mitigation and avoidance of service degradation. For these reasons, the development of efficient detection methods has become an important research topic and a number of effective methods has been reported in the literature. This survey offers the reader a comprehensive and systematic review of methods for detection of GNSS jamming and spoofing interferences. The categorization and classification of selected methods according to specific parameters and features is provided with a focus on recent advances in the field. Although many different detection methods have been reported, significant research efforts toward developing new and more efficient methods remain ongoing. These efforts are driven by the rapid development and increased number of attacks that pose high-security risks. The presented review of GNSS jamming and spoofing detection methods may be used for the selection of the most appropriate solution for specific purposes and constraints and also to provide a reference for future research. Full article

This paper presents the design, proof-of-concept implementation, and preliminary performance assessment of an affordable real-time High-Sensitivity (HS) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Specifically tailored to capture and track weak Galileo E1b/c signals, this receiver aims to support research endeavors focused on advancing GNSS signal processing algorithms, particularly in scenarios characterized by pronounced signal attenuation. Leveraging System-on-Chip Field-Programmable Gate Array (SoC-FPGA) technology, this design merges the adaptability of Software Defined Radio (SDR) concepts with the the robust hardware processing capabilities of FPGAs. This innovative approach enhances power efficiency compared to conventional designs relying on general-purpose processors, thereby facilitating the development of embedded software-defined receivers. Within this architecture, we implemented a modular GNSS baseband processing engine, offering a versatile platform for the integration of novel algorithms. The proposed receiver undergoes testing with live signals, showcasing its capability to process GNSS signals even in challenging scenarios with a carrier-to-noise density ratio ($C/N_0$) as low as 20 dB-Hz, while delivering navigation solutions. This work contributes to the advancement of low-cost, high-sensitivity GNSS receivers, providing a valuable tool for researchers engaged in the development, testing, and validation of experimental GNSS signal processing techniques. Full article

A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is widely used today for both positioning and timing purposes. Many distinct receiver chips are available as Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)s off-the-shelf, each tailored to the requirements of various applications. These chips deliver good performance and low energy consumption but offer customers little-to-no transparency about their internal features. This prevents modification, research in GNSS processing chain enhancement (e.g., application of Approximate Computing (AxC) techniques), and design space exploration to find the optimal receiver for a use case. In this paper, we review the GNSS processing chain using SyDR, our open-source GNSS Software-Defined Radio (SDR) designed for algorithm benchmarking, and highlight the limitations of a software-only environment. In return, we propose an evolution to our system, called Hard SyDR to become closer to the hardware layer and access new Key Performance Indicator (KPI)s, such as power/energy consumption and resource utilization. We use High-Level Synthesis (HLS) and the PYNQ platform to ease our development process and provide an overview of their advantages/limitations in our project. Finally, we evaluate the foreseen developments, including how this work can serve as the foundation for an exploration of AxC techniques in future low-power GNSS receivers. Full article

The use of radio direction finding techniques in order to identify and reject harmful interference has been a topic of discussion both past and present for signals in the GNSS bands. Advances in commercial off-the-shelf radio hardware have led to the development of new low-cost, compact, phase coherent receiver platforms such as the KrakenSDR from KrakenRF whose testing and characterization will be the primary focus of this paper. Although not specifically designed for GNSSs, the capabilities of this platform are well aligned with the needs of GNSSs. Testing results from both benchtop and in the field will be displayed which verify the KrakenSDR’s phase coherence and angle of arrival estimates to array dependent resolution bounds. Additionally, other outputs from the KrakenSDR such as received signal strength indicators and the angle of arrival confidence values show strong connections to angle of arrival estimate quality. Within this work the testing that will be primarily presented is at 900 MHz, with results presented from a government-sponsored event where the Kraken was tested at 1575.42 MHz. Finally, a discussion of calibration of active antenna arrays for angle of arrival is included as the introduction of active antenna elements used in GNSS signal collection can influence angle of arrival estimation. Full article

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology is evolving at a rapid pace. The rapid advancement demands rapid prototyping tools to conduct research on new and innovative signals and systems. However, researchers need to deal with the increasing complexity and integration level of GNSS integrated circuits (IC), resulting in limited access to modify or inspect any internal aspect of the receiver. To address these limitations, the authors designed a low-cost System-on-Chip Field-Programmable Gate Array (SoC-FPGA) architecture for prototyping experimental GNSS receivers. The proposed architecture combines the flexibility of software-defined radio (SDR) techniques and the energy efficiency of FPGAs, enabling the development of compact, portable, multi-channel, multi-constellation GNSS receivers for testing novel and non-standard GNSS features with live signals. This paper presents the proposed architecture and design methodology, reviewing the practical application of a spaceborne GNSS receiver and a GNSS rebroadcaster, and introducing the design and initial performance evaluation of a general purpose GNSS receiver serving as a testbed for future research. The receiver is tested, demonstrating the ability of the receiver to acquire and track GNSS signals using static and low Earth orbit (LEO)-scenarios, assessing the observables’ quality and the accuracy of the navigation solutions. Full article

Mitigating multipath interference is one of the biggest challenges in radio positioning. The Supercorrelation™ technology developed via Focal Point Positioning (FPP) suppresses multipath interference by performing long coherent integration while undergoing complex motion in order to isolate the Line-Of-Sight (LOS) signals from the unwanted multipath interference. This article presents the current status of a Supercorrelating Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and a systematic testing framework. The SDR receiver is capable of real-time processing and facilitates independent testing and demonstrations. The testing framework uses synthetic signals with a Spirent Radio-Frequency Constellation Simulator (RFCS) with Sim3D to create controlled and repeatable scenarios. The initial results demonstrate the benefits of Supercorrelator Technology (S-GNSS) for navigation resilience. Full article