Advanced Total Electron Count Algorithms for GPS Awareness

ABSTRACT: To increase space environment awareness, Quantum Dimension proposes to develop algorithms for Total Electron Count (TEC) estimates with uncertainty estimates that can be implemented in existing DoD GPS User Equipment (UE). Both the TEC estimates and the associated uncertainty estimates are vital to enable modern space environment models to use the GPS TEC data for supporting the specification and forecasting of ionospheric effects and impacts on DoD radio-based systems, including communication, navigation, surveillance and geolocation. DoD Space Environment missions most lack TEC where it is most needed: in operational warfighting theaters, and over oceans. In these areas, DoD vehicles, equipped with two-frequency GPS have the ability to estimate TEC. The algorithms will be tested using data from commercial GPS receivers as well as military DoD GPS receivers. Our innovations provide significant advantage for DoD for use in GPS UE to resolve these ionospheric effects and its impact on DoD communication, navigation, and geolocation solutions. BENEFIT: The GPS Receiver market is just one aspect of the commercialization potential for this solution and demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of GPS information to the warfighter, commanders and decision-makers throughout DoD. There are a high number of commercial and military applications that can leverage this improvement to PNT accuracy without requiring replacement of existing equipment: beyond Line of Sight applications, Black programs, guided munitions, Homeland Security/Coast Guard, Commercial Fishing are just some applications that can benefit from our technology innovation.