A novel software defined research receiver architecture
Staffan Backén, Magnus Lundberg Nordenvaad, DENNIS M. AKOS · Epubl LTU · 2009
Software defined receivers (SDR) are an increasingly important tool within the GNSS research community as the high level of flexibility offer a significant advantage over traditional hardware implementations. Over the last decade, software receivers have been used to investigate techniques as diverse as bi-static radar (additional correlators), multipath mitigation techniques, GPS/INS integration and array processing.Mentioned above are only a few examples of features that could be required of an SDR, other include support for new signals (Galileo, GPS L5), multiple data file formats, high sensitivity and support for very long data sets. The large number of available features should ideally be coupled with program simplicity (such that other people can understand the program) and efficiency. This paper discusses these issues and proposes several solutions such asgeneralized data buffers (that is trivial to extend for new data formats) and a unified tracking structure (regardless of signal modulation). Examples are given using a Matlab implementation based on the Borre/Akos book Ä Software-Defined GPS and Galileo Receiver", however with significant modifications. Where critical, Java is used to increase performance while maintaining cross platform compatibility. Near real-time operation is available under optimal circumstances and the receiver currently supports GPS C/A- and GPS P-code signals.