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: Our innovations and commercialization partnerships as outlined within this proposal provide significant advantage for DoD for use in GPS User Equipment to resolve ionospheric effects and its impact on DoD communication, navigation, and geolocation solutions.Outside of direct implementation for traditional GPS equipment, other avenues may make sense including applications like UAVs, Emergency/First Responder, Homeland/Border Security, etc. For example the Coast Guard or DHS could utilize over bodies of water or in locations where ionospheric effects have a greater impact. There are numerous potential applications for our innovation and are confident that this will increase the likelihood of adoption of our technology after Phase II/III.