GNSS Software Receivers

Software Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers are those that implement signal correlation processing not in hardware, but in their software. The main problem for the development of real-time software (SW) multichannel GNSS receivers is the tremendous amount of calculations to perform signal correlation. The article reviews recent developments of SW GNSS receivers. The emphasis is made on the computationally effective correlation processing algorithms and the optimization of processing allocation to the receiver's hardware (HW) and SW. An architecture is suggested that implements the PRN signals despreading in a special HW preprocessor while all the other correlation processing functions are still kept in SW. The combination of the most time-consuming processing in HW, and all signal structure-dependent processing in SW, enables unique flexibility of sophisticated GNSS receiver design based on inexpensive digital signal processors. ? 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

GNSS双频兼容互操作接收机信号捕获方法

随着我国北斗导航系统“全球组网”序幕的拉开,设计实现接收机的兼容互操作功能已变成接收机设计领域的一个研究热点。文中针对GNSS双频兼容互操作接收机信号捕获环节设计中遇到的处理时间长、捕获精度低、硬件资源消耗大、兼容性差等问题,设计一种基于频域处理的信号捕获算法。该算法在传统频域捕获的基础上,优化频域转换资源利用与遍历方式,在能量累加方面加入相干与非相干累加方式,达到微弱信号捕获。借助Xilinx软件Vivado及其仿真工具,对整个捕获系统进行了仿真实现,验证了算法设计的准确性,本算法可以捕获信号功率-135 dB以上的信号,可捕获的载波多普勒频率范围满足实际工程需求。在实际工程验证中,本算法能较好地满足工程应用性能要求。      

Investigation on the effect of strong out-of-band signals on global navigation satellite systems receivers

The mitigation of radio frequency interference (RFI) has a fundamental role in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) applications, especially when a high level of availability is required. Several electromagnetic sources, in fact, might degrade the performance of the global positioning system (GPS) and Galileo receivers, and their effects can be either in-band (i.e., secondary harmonics generated by transmitters of other communication systems due to non-linearity distortions) or out-of-band (i.e., strong signals that occupy frequency bandwidths very close to GNSS bands). We investigated the effects of real out-of-band signals on GNSS receivers and analyzed the impact on the overall receiver chain in order to evaluate the impact of the interference source. In particular, the analysis focuses on the spectrum at the front-end output, on the automatic gain control (AGC) behavior, as well as on the digital processing stages (signal acquisition and tracking) at the analog digital converter (ADC) output. This study refers to several experiments and data collections performed in interfered areas of downtown Torino (Italy). The obtained results underline how digital/analog TV transmissions represent a potential interference source for GNSS applications and might be critical for the safety of life services.     

Study on the cross-correlation of GNSS signals and typical approximations

In global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers, the first signal processing stage is the acquisition, which consists of detecting the received GNSS signals and determining the associated code delay and Doppler frequency by means of correlations with a code and carrier replicas. These codes, as part of the GNSS signal, were chosen to have very good correlation properties without considering the effect of a potential received Doppler frequency. In the literature, it is often admitted that the maximum GPS L1 C/A code cross-correlation is about ?24 dB. We show that this maximum can be as high as ?19.2 dB when considering a Doppler frequency in a typical range of [?5, 5] kHz. We also show the positive impact of the coherent integration time on the cross-correlation and that even a satellite with Doppler outside the frequency search space of a receiver impacts the cross-correlation. In addition, the expression of the correlation is often provided in the continuous time domain, while its implementation is typically made in the discrete domain. It is then legitimate to ask the validity of this approximation. Therefore, the purpose of this research is twofold: First, we discuss typical approximations and evaluate their regions of validity, and second, we provide characteristic values such as maximums and quantiles of the auto- and cross-correlation of the GPS L1 C/A and Galileo E1 OS codes in the presence of Doppler, for frequency ranges up to 50 kHz and for different integration times.     

单站多参数GLONASS码频间偏差估计及其对组合精密单点定位的影响

在分析传统GPS/GLONASS组合PPP数学模型中忽略GLONASS码IFB不足的基础上,提出一种基于"多参数"的组合PPP与码IFB估计算法。将"频间偏差"与"系统时差"参数进行合并,通过引入多个独立的"时频偏差"参数对组合PPP中的GLONASS码IFB进行函数模型补偿,同时可实现基于单个测站观测数据的码IFB精确估计。对配备6种GNSS品牌接收机的30个IGS站实测数据进行GLONASS码IFB估计与分析。结果表明:各品牌接收机不同频率通道的GLONASS码IFB可达数米,且表现出与频率的明显相关性,但难以通过简单函数建模为其提供精确的先验改正值;相同品牌接收机的GLONASS码IFB整体上具有相似的特性,而在个别测站会表现出异常特征;即使接收机类型、固件版本及天线类型完全相同的测站,GLONASS码IFB值也可能存在显著差异。新算法能实现对GLONASS码IFB的有效补偿,明显加快组合PPP的收敛速度。虽然引入多个附加参数会导致函数模型自由度减小,但对定位精度的影响有限,与传统"单参数"法进行组合PPP的定位精度相当。     

GPS／BD2／GALILEo反射信号接收机兼容分析与设计实现

探讨了多系统反射信号接收机GNSS—R的关键技术,介绍了基于FPGA＋DSP平台的GNSS—R接收机多系统兼容方法。通过数据插值技术、存储CA码发生器技术、FFT频域搜索CA码相位和载波多普勒频移技术,利用分段积分和FFT技术得到反射信号的复相关功率值等技术,解决了多系统在采样、捕获、跟踪、处理等方面的兼容性问题。搭建了验证系统,实现了对多系统反射信号接收机的信号的兼容处理。     

A study on the dependency of GNSS pseudorange biases on correlator spacing

We provide a comprehensive overview of pseudorange biases and their dependency on receiver front-end bandwidth and correlator design. Differences in the chip shape distortions among GNSS satellites are the cause of individual pseudorange biases. The different biases must be corrected for in a number of applications, such as positioning with mixed signals or PPP with ambiguity resolution. Current state-of-the-art is to split the pseudorange bias into a receiver- and a satellite-dependent part. As soon as different receivers with different front-end bandwidths or correlator designs are involved, the satellite biases differ between the receivers and this separation is no longer practicable. A test with a special receiver firmware, which allows tracking a satellite with a range of different correlator spacings, has been conducted with live signals as well as a signal simulator. In addition, the variability of satellite biases is assessed through zero-baseline tests with different GNSS receivers using live satellite signals. The receivers are operated with different settings for multipath mitigation, and the changes in the satellite-dependent biases depending on the receivers’ configuration are observed.     

SIMD correlator library for GNSS software receivers

Software receivers have had a discernable impact on the GNSS research community. Often such receivers are implemented in a compiled programming language, such as C or C++. A software receiver must emulate the digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms executed on dedicated hardware in a traditional receiver. The DSP algorithms, most notably correlation, have a high computational cost; this burden precludes many software receivers from running in real time. However, the computational cost can be lessened by utilizing single instruction multiple data (SIMD) operations found on modern ×86 processors. The following demonstrates how C/C++ compatible code can be written to directly utilize the SIMD instructions. First, an analysis is carried out to demonstrate why real time operation is not possible when using traditional C/C++ code is carried out. Secondly a tutorial outlines how to write and insert ×86 assembly, with SIMD operations, into C/C++ code. Performance gains achieved via SIMD operations are then demonstrated, and pseudo code outlines how SIMD operations can be employed to perform correlation. Finally, a C/C++ compatible SIMD enabled arithmetic library is added to the GPS Toolbox for use in software receivers.     

Digital Signal Processors in GPS Receivers

Unlike the conventional hardware approaches to GPS base band signal processing, a software GPS receiver is extremely flexible as it comes with all the associated advantages of a software solution. With a software solution, the improvements of silicon technology can be easily translated into better performance at smaller form factors and lower power consumption, without a redesign and/or change to the ASIC. A general purpose Digital Signal Processor (DSP) can be used effectively for GPS signal processing. The memory and speed resources available determine the algorithms and applications that can be effectively implemented in the receiver. The performance of software GPS receivers will soon be difficult to be surpassed by the hardware counterparts, as high-performance processors become available at low cost. ? 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

卫星导航信号捕获的一种高效相关算法

信号捕获的相关层实现在整个接收机的硬件资源中占据了重要的比重.为了能够降低量化损耗和减少相关层所需的硬件资源,论文提出了一种高效的相关算法.相比传统实现方法,论文所提算法能够将加法树所需硬件资源降低1／2,同时量化损耗减少约0.3 dB.该算法对卫星导航接收机的低成本和低功耗实现具有重要的参考价值.      

Performance comparison of semicodeless GPS receivers for LEO satellites

This report provides a detailed performance analysis of three semicodeless dual-frequency GPS receivers for use in low Earth orbit (LEO). The test set comprises the IGOR receiver, which represents a follow-on of the flight-proven BlackJack receiver, as well as two geodetic receivers (NovAtel OEM4-G2 and Septentrio PolaRx2), which are entirely based on commercial-off-the-shelf technology (COTS). All three receivers are considered for upcoming flight projects or experiments and have undergone at least a preliminary environmental qualification program. Using extensive signal simulator tests, the cold start signal acquisition, tracking sensitivity, differential code biases, raw measurement accuracy, and navigation accuracy of each receiver have been assessed. All tests are based on a common scenario that is representative of an actual space mission and provides a realistic simulation of the signal dynamics and quality on a scientific LEO satellite. Compared to the other receivers, the IGOR instrument exhibits a superior tracking sensitivity and is thus best suited for occultation measurements with low tangent point altitudes. The OEM4-G2 and PolaRx2 receivers are likewise shown to properly track dual-frequency GPS signals and normal signal levels and to provide accurate code and carrier phase measurements. Given their limited resource requirements, these receivers appear well suited for precise orbit determination applications and ionospheric sounding onboard of microsatellites with tight mission budgets.     

基于小波分析提取单频GNSS伪距多路径误差及其对定位的影响

伪距多路径误差是影响GNSS导航定位精度的主要误差源之一。多路径误差与接收机周围环境有关,在实际应用中难以建立有效的多路径误差模型进行改正。对于多频GNSS接收机可以通过多频观测值组合估计伪距多路径,但该方法不适用于价格低廉的单频接收机,而导航中使用的大多数为单频接收机。因此,开展单频GNSS伪距多路径误差提取研究具有重要的工程应用价值。本文基于小波分析对单频GNSS接收机伪距多路径误差估计开展研究,首先验证了小波分析用于单频GNSS伪距多路径误差估计的可行性;其次,研究了采用不同的小波基和分解层次对多路径误差估计的影响;最后,研究了改正多路径误差对GNSS定位的影响。实验结果表明不同的小波基和分解层次对多路径误差提取效果没有明显的差别,但小波分解层次较低时定位误差分布相对更加集中,同时,经过多路径误差改正后在NEU3个方向RMS平均改善率达到20.4%、25.1%、16.4%。     

多频多模接收机差分码偏差的精密估计与特性分析

全球导航卫星系统（Global Navigation Satellite System,GNSS）探测大气电离层需要精确处理由接收机差分码偏差（differential cade bias,DCB）引起的系统误差。准确掌握接收机DCB的多时间尺度精细变化等特性是联合美国GPS、中国北斗卫星导航系统（BeiDou navigation satellite system,BDS）和欧盟Galileo等多GNSS技术监测电离层所面临的主要科学问题之一。为此,提出了基于零基线精密估计站间单差接收机DCB的方法,并对站间单差接收机DCB的日加权平均值进行了分析。基于4台多模接收机采集于2013年的双频观测值,揭示了站间单差接收机DCB的变化可能受3种因素的影响,即接收机内置软件的版本升级（实验中引起了约3 ns的显著增加）、拆卸个别接收机所导致的观测条件改变（实验中引起了约1.3 ns的显著减少）和估计方法的误差（引起了与导航系统卫星几何结构重复性相一致的周期性变化）等。     

组合码和相位观测值在线解双差模糊度的算法

如何在线精确地求解整周模糊度,是ＧＰＳ高精度动态相对定位的关键问题。在线解算取决于很多因素：基线长度、数据处理方法、接收机的性能（如双频还是单频）以及抗ＡＳ和ＳＡ的能力等。现代双频ＧＰＳ接收机能获得载波相位和Ｌ１、Ｌ２频道上的精度伪距观测值,组合这４个观测值可进行单历元整周模糊度解算。文中对组合码和相位观测值在线解整周度的算法进行了试验和分析,得出了很有实用意义的结合。     

一种卫星导航抗干扰处理器低功耗设计方法

提出一种适用于全球卫星导航系统(GNSS)智能天线的低功耗抗干扰处理器设计方法. 通过改进GNSS抗干扰架构中混频器的设计,优化掉数字高中频混频器和滤波器. 为进一步降低功耗和硬件资源占用,引入输出双倍速率寄存器(ODDR)技术,实现高中频信号的直接合成. 实验测试结果表明,本设计功耗降低11％,硬件资源减少14％,可应用到GNSS智能天线系统中.      

GPS navigation data bit decoding error during strong equatorial scintillation

Strong equatorial scintillation is often characterized by simultaneous fast phase changes and deep amplitude fading. The combined effect poses a challenge for GNSS receiver carrier tracking performance. One of the consequences of the strong scintillation is increased navigation message data bit decoding error. Understanding the rate of the data bit decoding error under equatorial scintillation is essential for high accuracy and high integrity applications. We present the statistical relationship between the data bit decoding error occurrences and the intensity of amplitude scintillation based on the processing of intermediate frequency GPS scintillation data collected on Ascension Island in March 2013. A third-order phase lock loop (PLL) is implemented to process the data and to access the data bit error typically expected in conventional receivers. A Kalman filter-based PLL is also used to process the same data to demonstrate that the data bit decoding error can be reduced through advanced carrier tracking designs.     

GPS接收机工作原理及发展现状

根据GPS接收机的工作原理,分为连续接收机、序贯接收机和多元接收机。讨论了接收机的应用分类,分别为高精度测量型接收机,导航接收机及授时型接收机。根据GPS卫星信号的情况,介绍了GPS接收机的性能指标。根据GNSS的发展现状和卫星信号的实施论述了新一代多模双频接收机指标,根据测试结果证明：这种接收机将是未来GPS接收机的发展方向。     

M_DCB: Matlab code for estimating GNSS satellite and receiver differential code biases

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) have been widely used to monitor variations in the earth’s ionosphere by estimating total electron content (TEC) using dual-frequency observations. Differential code biases (DCBs) are one of the important error sources in estimating precise TEC from GNSS data. The International GNSS Service (IGS) Analysis Centers have routinely provided DCB estimates for GNSS satellites and IGS ground receivers, but the DCBs for regional and local network receivers are not provided. Furthermore, the DCB values of GNSS satellites or receivers are assumed to be constant over 1?day or 1?month, which is not always the case. We describe Matlab code to estimate GNSS satellite and receiver DCBs for time intervals from hours to days; the software is called M_DCB. The DCBs of GNSS satellites and ground receivers are tested and evaluated using data from the IGS GNSS network. The estimates from M_DCB show good agreement with the IGS Analysis Centers with a mean difference of less than 0.7?ns and an RMS of less than 0.4?ns, even for a single station DCB estimate.     

Hybrid GPS + GLONASS

The hybridization of GPS with GLONASS has formed a first stage in GNSS development. We examine the performance of the hybrid system in the position domain for both code and carrier phase cases. Several major differences exist between GPS and GLONASS; most significant is GLONASS's signal frequency diversity, which can lead to measurement bias, particularly so when a pair of receivers are operating at different temperatures. Unless signal frequency diversity is addressed either on-receiver or at the data processing stage, positioning errors can occur at the centimeter level. We outline the difficulties of combining observations from the two systems and discuss how these may be overcome. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

AItBOC信号码跟踪性能研究

通过分析A1tBOC（15,10）信号的功率谱密度、自相关函数,得出该信号在码跟踪性能上的理论优势,并根据Betz码跟踪评估理论仿真分析了接收机前端带宽、相关器间隔、环路鉴别器类型、载噪比以及全频带和单边带两种接收方式对该信号码跟踪精度的影响,并且通过与BPSK（10）、BOC（15,10）和单边带AltBoc（15,10）信号对比,得出AltBOC（15,10）信号在码跟踪精度上的优势,为AltBOC接收机设计提供理论依据。