Flexible Software GPS System for Test and Measurement Applications

This proposal describes a plan to develop a novel software-based GPS receiver, which would be used for various navigation, guidance and test and measurement applications. The receiver will have improved performance in terms of acquisition, tracking and navigation. (It will have improved dynamic performance and anti-jam capabilities). The block processing architecture will enable improved dynamic performance, anti-jam capability, faster acquisition, less susceptibility to multi-path and robust performance. It will have novel navigational filters enabling improved A/J and robustness, integration with INS systems, coherent processing capabilities and RTK type carrier phase processing. The receiver is specifically tailored towards TSPI applications. CRS has developed a novel software-based receiver development platform (IMPULSE), which allows simulation of a variety of architectures, configurations, and situations, and when the simulation is complete, the simulated system can be implemented using suitable hardware platforms as a real-time prototype. We propose to use this development system for the design and development of novel architectures using alternate approaches to GPS receiver design. Various algorithms (YMCA receiver, STAP processing, M-code etc.) for post processing of the recorded data will be provided to facilitate high-accuracy navigation during Phase II. During Phase I, we have developed and demonstrated the use of block processing for C/A, P and M code signals. Algorithms for Ultra Tight Coupling (UTC), STAP and SFAP processing and coherent processing have also demonstrated. For improved dynamics, A/J performance and overall robustness and accuracies, the software receiver can be configured to operate with a variety of Inertial Measurement Units(IMU’).The Phase II efforts will provide a prototype receiver operating in real time and under realistic scenarios. The real time operation of the receiver will be demonstrated and its performance evaluated during Phase II. Test and Validation plans as will as plans for transitioning to production are provided.