An Indoor GPS Constellation Simulation System Using A Network of Electronically Scanned Antenna Arrays

Testing of satellite navigation receivers and their associated antenna systems is a critical component of fielding new navigation equipment for the warfighter. Anechoic chambers and open-air test ranges are typically used to test these systems in benign environments and in the presence of electronic attack (EA). Anechoic chamber testing provides an environment with minimal background noise and interference, but lacks the realism provided by live-sky testing events. A need exists for an indoor, dynamic satellite constellation simulation to bridge a technology gap that exists between current anechoic chamber testing and live-sky testing of navigation systems against electronic warfare (EW) assets. Filling this gap will add a level of realism to existing chamber testing, while simultaneously reducing the demand on the low-density test ranges. To meet this critical need IS4S proposes a GPS satellite constellation simulator using a network of electronically scanned antenna arrays. This system will achieve non-static AOAs that accurately emulate the AOAs from the real-live sky constellation without any moving components. The proposed system will consist of several static antenna array panels installed in an anechoic chamber. Each array has a configurable phase pattern through adjustable phase delays to each element in the array.