Joint Processing of Multi-band Signals with Information Assurance

ABSTRACT: Echo Ridge proposes to prototype and evaluate GNSS processing algorithms designed to provide high accuracy and spoofing robustness (information assurance (IA)) by exploiting diversity in radio navigation signals (frequency, location, bandwidth, format) using new signal processing techniques. We will extend on-going work in the area of multi-satellite, multi-frequency GNSS signal processing with novel and original algorithms to improve navigation performance. In addition Echo Ridge will apply a unique and highly processing efficient vector tracking algorithm which will improve robustness against GPS outages and multipath effects. The developed algorithms will be evaluated using a hardware-in-the-loop RF environment emulator, capable of synthesizing arbitrary signals both at digital baseband and at RF. In addition a characterization of performance will be carried out in realistic emulated and field propagation environments which include fading, multipath, and interference. BENEFIT: Commercialization opportunities for the subject navigation technology are numerous in the commercial location sector, the public services, and the DoD sectors. In the public sector, emergency first responder personnel lack a robust location system which hampers search and rescue operations. There are also equally compelling needs in the commercial sector, where wireless mobiles equipped with GPS for E911 positioning suffer from very poor yield indoors and in dense urban areas, even with"assisted-GPS"augmentations. The last few years have witnessed explosive growth for revenue-bearing location-based navigation technology and applications, all of which suffer from poor performance for the same reasons and ultimately cost companies in lost potential revenue. One of the most promising developments that will aid in bringing the subject research technology to broad commercial use is the increase in portable computing devices that now contain built-in GNSS and subsystems such as GPS, in addition to accelerometers, gyroscopes, WiFi, and multi-band radio frequency transceivers. Hosting robust navigation technology on COTS hardware has never been more appealing and cost effective, which greatly increases the chances of transitioning this technology into a commercialization success.