COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats

The paper presents the work towards developing a COTS based GNSS receiver and integrating Precise Point Positioning algorithms to facilitate close proximity operations for CubeSats in formation flying and during docking or rendezvous manoeuvres. We initially present the driving requirements identifi...

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Main Authors: Pandele Alexandru, Cherciu Costel, Trușculescu Marius, Drăgășanu Claudiu, Mihai Sergiu-Ştefan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2019-01-01
Series:MATEC Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/53/matecconf_easn2019_07009.pdf
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author Pandele Alexandru
Cherciu Costel
Trușculescu Marius
Drăgășanu Claudiu
Mihai Sergiu-Ştefan
author_facet Pandele Alexandru
Cherciu Costel
Trușculescu Marius
Drăgășanu Claudiu
Mihai Sergiu-Ştefan
author_sort Pandele Alexandru
collection DOAJ
description The paper presents the work towards developing a COTS based GNSS receiver and integrating Precise Point Positioning algorithms to facilitate close proximity operations for CubeSats in formation flying and during docking or rendezvous manoeuvres. We initially present the driving requirements identified for these types of missions. Besides fitting a standard CubeSat, the receiver has to weigh less than 0.3 kg, consume less than 5 W and be multi-frequency and multi-onstellation. Next, follows the identification of a commercial off the shelf GNSS receiver that can be easily customized to fit the basic requirements of a GNSS space receiver and on which Precise Orbit Determination (POD) algorithms can be implemented. For the start of the activity three commercial receivers were selected as proposed candidates to be traded off regarding the degree to which they fulfil the requirements, the degree of openness and of manufacturer support. A COTS microcontroller shall be then selected to control the operation of the COTS receiver. We then expand on the proposed general architecture of the system from COTS modules to their integration philosophy, with a discussion on the means of delivering the correction factors to the receiver. PPP corrections are expected to be delivered either via ground stations or via the geostationary satellite based commercial services. The PPP algorithms are to be implemented on the microcontroller, which will also try to maximize the availability of a precise PVT solution by incorporating a neural network fed by an orbit propagator and the PPP algorithm. The neural network shall estimate a precise position whenever PPP corrections are not available. The training of the neural network shall be done on the ground, allowing for a small footprint on board. A preliminary design of the hardware and the planned qualification plan is concluding the work.
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spelling doaj.art-b5300944b893455b9a79d264e762ebdf2022-12-21T22:44:11ZengEDP SciencesMATEC Web of Conferences2261-236X2019-01-013040700910.1051/matecconf/201930407009matecconf_easn2019_07009COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSatsPandele AlexandruCherciu CostelTrușculescu MariusDrăgășanu ClaudiuMihai Sergiu-ŞtefanThe paper presents the work towards developing a COTS based GNSS receiver and integrating Precise Point Positioning algorithms to facilitate close proximity operations for CubeSats in formation flying and during docking or rendezvous manoeuvres. We initially present the driving requirements identified for these types of missions. Besides fitting a standard CubeSat, the receiver has to weigh less than 0.3 kg, consume less than 5 W and be multi-frequency and multi-onstellation. Next, follows the identification of a commercial off the shelf GNSS receiver that can be easily customized to fit the basic requirements of a GNSS space receiver and on which Precise Orbit Determination (POD) algorithms can be implemented. For the start of the activity three commercial receivers were selected as proposed candidates to be traded off regarding the degree to which they fulfil the requirements, the degree of openness and of manufacturer support. A COTS microcontroller shall be then selected to control the operation of the COTS receiver. We then expand on the proposed general architecture of the system from COTS modules to their integration philosophy, with a discussion on the means of delivering the correction factors to the receiver. PPP corrections are expected to be delivered either via ground stations or via the geostationary satellite based commercial services. The PPP algorithms are to be implemented on the microcontroller, which will also try to maximize the availability of a precise PVT solution by incorporating a neural network fed by an orbit propagator and the PPP algorithm. The neural network shall estimate a precise position whenever PPP corrections are not available. The training of the neural network shall be done on the ground, allowing for a small footprint on board. A preliminary design of the hardware and the planned qualification plan is concluding the work.https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/53/matecconf_easn2019_07009.pdf
spellingShingle Pandele Alexandru
Cherciu Costel
Trușculescu Marius
Drăgășanu Claudiu
Mihai Sergiu-Ştefan
COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
MATEC Web of Conferences
title COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
title_full COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
title_fullStr COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
title_full_unstemmed COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
title_short COTS based GNSS Receiver with Precise Point Positioning for CubeSats
title_sort cots based gnss receiver with precise point positioning for cubesats
url https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/53/matecconf_easn2019_07009.pdf
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