Software receiver front-end for GNSS positioning

Abstract

This report details the conceptualization and development process involved in a Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) RF front-end under the EE4079 Final Year Project. While the United States’ Global Positioning System enjoys widespread use today, it

is limited both in accuracy and the number of satellites visible at any time. An

improved receiver is proposed which would be able to receive additional satellite

signals from the European Galileo, Russian GLONASS and Chinese Beidou

constellations and combine them for software-aided processing on an associated

computer. The increased number of possible satellite acquisitions would enhance the

speed and precision of localization, even within unfavourable environments such as

the urban canyons and the tropical rainforest where signals may be limited.This report will discuss the workings of the current GPS system, describe the process

of evaluating currently available components, particularly in the area of the frontend-

computer interface as well as the investigation into the antenna performance and

modification, and also key design criteria and difficulties encountered in the course

of the project.