First results from three years of GNSS Interference Monitoring from Low Earth Orbit

TL;DR

This paper reports on a three-year study monitoring GNSS interference from low-earth orbit, highlighting a significant interference source in Syria and discussing implications for GNSS receiver resilience and design.

Contribution

It provides the first long-term analysis of global GNSS interference from LEO, including a detailed case study of a persistent source in Syria and its impact on receiver operation.

Findings

Identification of a powerful interference source in Syria since 2017

Insights into the structure and strength of GNSS interference from LEO

Implications for designing interference-resistant GNSS receivers

Abstract

Observation of terrestrial GNSS interference (jamming and spoofing) from low-earth orbit (LEO) is a uniquely effective technique for characterizing the scope, strength, and structure of interference and for estimating transmitter locations. Such details are useful for situational awareness, interference deterrence, and for developing interference-hardened GNSS receivers. This paper presents the results of a three-year study of global interference, with emphasis on a particularly powerful interference source active in Syria since 2017. It then explores the implications of such interference for GNSS receiver operation and design.