2009 Fellow

Presented to: Dr. Inder J. Gupta

Citation: For contributions to the theory and development of adaptive antennas for satellite navigation.

Dr. Inder J. Gupta leads the community in the development of anti-jam antennas based on either space-time or space-frequency adaptive processing (STAP or SFAP). These antenna and signal processing technologies are vital to the growth and acceptance of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). After all, the GNSS signals travel some 20,000 kilometers from medium earth orbit to the earthbound users. These satellite signals carry a power of less than 10-13 W/m2 when they arrive at the earth's surface, and they are easily overwhelmed by radio frequency interference (RFI) from terrestrial sources. This RFI may be accidental or malevolent (i.e. jamming). Throughout his career, Dr. Gupta has led the development of STAP and SFAP techniques to meet this challenge.

Importantly, Dr. Gupta has conducted both the theoretical and practical work that has enabled these techniques to be fielded. For example, Dr. Gupta developed the first analytical model to predict the performance of SFAP-based GPS anti-jam (AJ) antennas. In 2002, he designed and built a new ground plane for the testing of the actual production antennas. He has studied the effects of platform generated multipath on GPS AJ antennas, and the effects of individual antenna element bandwidth and element distribution on the performance of GPS AJ antennas.

Dr. Gupta has also worked to reduce the size of anti-jam antennas for GNSS receivers. One of his designs has four to six elements that fit into the foot print allocated for non-adaptive antennas. He has also pioneered designs based on wideband antenna elements that can receive signals from 1150 MHz to 1600 MHz; and designs that combine the individual elements in non-planar configurations.

Most recently, Dr. Gupta has provided the first adaptive algorithms that simultaneously provide good AJ properties and reduce carrier and code phase biases in GNSS measurements. In other words, these algorithms provide good signal to noise ratios in jammed environments and ensure that the resulting code and carrier biases are very small. This achievement is key to development of the Navy's Joint Precision and Approach Landing System (JPALS).

For his efforts, Dr. Gupta was elected as a Fellow of the IEEE in 2000. The Antenna Measurement Technique Association has recognized his efforts with their Distinguished Achievement Award and the Edmond S. Gillespie Fellowship, both in 2007. Dr. Gupta has received the Ohio State University College of Engineering Lumley Research Award in 1991, 1998 and 2005. He has approximately 40 refereed journal publications and more than 100 conference publications. Finally, his presentations at ION conferences are always among the very best.