High Performance Global Positioning System (GPS) M-Code Acquisition Engine

ABSTRACT: In navigation warfare (Navwar), it is imperative for military GPS receivers to possess a high-performance engine for fast direct acquisition of GPS military codes (i.e., the M-code and/or P(Y)-code on L1 and/or L2) under a combined jamming and spoofing attack in order to provide an assured position, navigation and time (PNT) solution for critical missions. To this end, we propose to develop a software-defined radio (SDR) approach for the development of a direct joint acquisition of M-code and Y-code in quadrature (DINAMYQ) engine. Four enabling techniques are set forth, namely, (i) simultaneous search over multiple code phases, (ii) simultaneous search over multiple frequency bins, (iii) post-correlation coherent integration with data bit removal for anti-jamming, and (iv) coherent I and Q combining for joint M- and P(Y)-code acquisition, together with an optimized reconfigurable FPGA and embedded processor implementation. In Phase I, we will develop the DINAMYQ mechanization and optimize its performance using the M Prime-code generated by an RF signal simulator to meet the targeted time to first fix (120 seconds) under 51 dB jamming over signal power ratio. The Phase I effort will also develop a prototyping approach for Phase II demo.; BENEFIT: When successful, the proposed DINAMYQ technological approach will enable fast direct acquisition of military GPS signals in the presence of jamming with improved continuity, availability, and accuracy in GPS-challenged environments, which is significant for practically all military applications. For the civilian market, the largest commercialization potential will be achieved when the proposed technology with fast acquisition/re-acquisition capability is applied to enable lane-level accuracy in automotive safety applications for connected cars and self-driving cars particularly in urban canyon environments where GNSS signals are severely blocked but are briefly available at intersections intermittently.