Performances of a GNSS receiver for space-based applications

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the performance of a GNSS receiver designed for space-based applications, specifically for GEO satellites, highlighting improvements when tracking both GPS and Galileo signals.

Contribution

It assesses the performance of a reconfigurable GNSS receiver capable of processing GPS and Galileo signals for GEO satellite applications.

Findings

Significant performance improvements with dual GPS and Galileo tracking

Defined specifications for future space-based GNSS receivers

Enhanced availability and accuracy in satellite positioning

Abstract

Space Vehicle (SV) life span depends on its station keeping capability. Station keeping is the ability of the vehicle to maintain position and orientation. Due to external perturbations, the trajectory of the SV derives from the ideal orbit. Actual positioning systems for satellites are mainly based on ground equipment, which means heavy infrastructures. Autonomous positioning and navigation systems using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can then represent a great reduction in platform design and operating costs. Studies have been carried out and the first operational systems, based on GPS receivers, become available. But better availability of service could be obtained considering a receiver able to process GPS and Galileo signals. Indeed Galileo system will be compatible with the current and the modernized GPS system in terms of signals representation and navigation data. The greater availability obtained with such a receiver would allow significant increase of the number of point solutions and performance enhancement. For a mid-term perspective Thales Alenia Space finances a PhD to develop the concept of a reconfigurable receiver able to deal with both the GPS system and the future Galileo system. In this context, the aim of this paper is to assess the performances of a receiver designed for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) applications. It is shown that high improvements are obtained with a receiver designed to track both GPS and Galileo satellites. The performance assessments have been used to define the specifications of the future satellite GNSS receiver.