GNSS performance characterization framework

With the advent of new constellations, signals and frequencies, the reference stations are expected to face a major evolution by incorporating multi-frequency capabilities and adopting the multi-constellation concept, while including also more demanding requirements in terms of robustness against signal deformations, spoofing, multipath and interferences. This opens a clear business opportunity for a new generation of reference stations needed to comply with the new scenario of GNSS navigation programs. The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is Europe’s regional Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) that is used to improve the performance of GNSS such as GPS and Galileo. EGNOS will experiment a major evolution by 2020, EGNOS V3, including the fulfilment of the SBAS L1/L5 standard, expansion to dual-frequency and evolution towards a multi-constellation concept. The Ranging Integrity Monitoring Stations (RIMS) are expected to incorporate modernizing features such as: Tracking of Galileo Constellation (in addition to the current ones, GPS and GLONASS). Incorporation of additional frequencies (GPS L5 / L2C and Galileo E5a). Signal processing capabilities (such as integrated signal quality monitoring and in particular evil waveform detection using a multi-correlator architecture). Advanced built-in robustness and security functions: Robust tracking algorithms, detection/mitigation of interferences and anti-spoofing/jamming techniques. In this context, ESA awarded the consortium Indra and SPCOMNAV (a research group from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona – UAB) with a contract for the development of an advanced GNSS reference station breadboard (a.k.a. R3B) in the frame of the General Support Technology Program (GSTP 6.2) program.