Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A non-coherent architecture for GNSS digital tracking loops

  • Published:
annals of telecommunications - annales des télécommunications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, a new, noncoherent architecture for global navigation satellite system tracking loops is proposed and analyzed. A noncoherent phase discriminator, able to extend the integration time beyond the bit duration, is derived from the maximum likelihood principle and integrated into a Costas loop. The discriminator is noncoherent in the sense that the bit information is removed by using a nonlinear operation. By jointly using such a discriminator and noncoherent integrations at the delay lock loop level, a fully noncoherent architecture, able to operate at low carrier-power-to-noise density ratio (C/N 0), is obtained. The algorithms proposed have been tested by means of live GPS data and compared with existing methodologies, resulting in an effective solution for extending the total integration time.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Petovello M, O’Driscoll C, Lachapelle G (2008) Weak signal carrier tracking using extended coherent integration with an ultra-tight GNSS/IMU receiver. In: Proc. of the European navigation conference. Toulouse

  2. Lowe ST (1999) Voltage signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) nonlinearity resulting from incoherent summations. The telecommunications and mission operations progress report, TMO PR 42–137, Tech. Rep.

  3. Strässle C, Megnet D, Mathis H, Bürgi C (2007) The squaring-loss paradox. In: Proc. of ION/GNSS. Fort Worth, pp 2715–2722

  4. Soloviev A, van Graas F, Gunawardena S (2004) Implementation of deeply integrated GPS/Low-cost IMU for reacquisition and tracking of low CNR GPS signals. In: Proc. of ION national technical meeting NTM. San Diego, pp 923–935

  5. Soloviev A, Gunawardena S, van Graas F (2004) Deeply integrated GPS/Low-cost IMU for low CNR signal processing: flight test results and real time implementation. In: Proc. of ION/GNSS. Long Beach, pp 1598–1608

  6. Psiaki ML, Jung H (2002) Extended kalman filter methods for tracking weak GPS signals. In: Proc. of ION/GPS. Portland, pp 2539–2553

  7. Kazemi PL, O’Driscoll C (2008) Comparison of assisted and stand-alone methods for increasing coherent integration time for weak GPS signal tracking. In: Proc. of ION/GNSS’08. Savannah

  8. Pomalaza-Ráez CA (1991) Analysis of an all-digital data-transition tracking loop. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst 28(4):1119–1127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Simon MK, Tkacenko A (2006) Noncoherent data transition tracking loops for symbol synchronization in digital communication receivers. IEEE Trans Commun 54(5):889–899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. O’Driscoll C (2007) Performance analysis of the parallel acquisition of weak GPS signals. Ph.D. dissertation, National University of Ireland, Cork

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hegarty CJ (2006) Optimal and near-optimal detector for acquisition of the GPS L5 signal. In: Proc. of ION NTM, National technical meeting. Monterey, pp 717–725

  12. Borio D, O’Driscoll C, Lachapelle G (2009) Coherent, non-coherent and differentially coherent combining techniques for the acquisition of new composite GNSS signals. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst (in press)

  13. Hurskainen H, Lohan ES, Hu X, Raasakka J, Nurmi J (2008) Multiple gate delay tracking structures for GNSS signals and their evaluation with simulink, systemC, and VHDL. Int J Navig Obs 17

  14. Petovello MG, O’Driscoll C (2007) GSNRx™ User Manual, position, location and navigation (PLAN) group, Department of Geomatics Engineering, Cchulich School of Engineering, The University of Calgary, 2500 University drive NW Calgary, T2N 1N4

  15. Stephens SA, Thomas J (1995) Controlled-root formulation for digital phase-locked loops. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst 31(1):78–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Van Dierendonck AJ, Fenton P, Ford T (1992) Theory and performance of narrow correlator spacing in a gps receiver. NAVIGATION: J Inst Navig 39(3):265–283

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kaplan ED, Hegarty CJ (eds.) (2005) Understanding GPS: principles and applications, 2nd edn. Artech House, Norwood

    Google Scholar 

  18. Betz JW, Kolodziejski KR (2008) Generalized theory of code tracking with early-late discriminator, part 1: lower bound and coherent processing. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst (in press)

  19. Betz JW, Kolodziejski KR (2008) Generalized theory of code tracking with early-late discriminator, part 2: noncoherent processing and numerical results. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst (in press)

  20. Betz JW (2001) Effect of partial-band interference on receiver estimation of C/N 0: theory. In: Proc. of ION national technical meeting. Long Beach, pp 817–828

  21. Betz JW, Shnidman NR (2007) Receiver processing losses with bandlimiting and one-bit sampling. In: Proc. of ION GNSS. Fort Worth

  22. Lindsey WC, Simon MK (1991) Telecommunication systems engineering. Dover, New York

    Google Scholar 

  23. Woo KT (1999) Optimum semi-codeless carrier phase tracking of l2. In: Proc. of ION GPS’99. Nashville, pp 289–305

  24. Kazemi PL (2008) Optimum digital filters for GNSS tracking loops. In: Proc. of ION/GNSS’08. Savannah

  25. Simon M, Lindsey W (1977) Optimum performance of suppressed carrier receivers with costas loop tracking. IEEE Trans Commun 25(2):215–227

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  26. National Instruments (2006) 2.7 GHz RF Vector Signal Analyzer with Digital Downconversion http://www.ni.com/pdf/products/us/cat_vectorsignalanalyzer.pdf

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to kindly acknowledge and thank Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) for funding this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Daniele Borio & Gérard Lachapelle

Authors
  1. Daniele Borio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gérard Lachapelle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniele Borio.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Borio, D., Lachapelle, G. A non-coherent architecture for GNSS digital tracking loops. Ann. Telecommun. 64, 601 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12243-009-0114-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12243-009-0114-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation