An Implementation of Variable IF Tracking Loop (VITAL) and Initial Test Results

Chun Yang, Thomas Pany, Andrey Soloviev

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	Correlation at an intermediate frequency (IF) produces a composite correlation function of an envelope being that of the underlying code and an internal structure being that of the IF carrier. By varying the IF, one can introduce zero-crossings to the envelope so as to shape and sharpen the main peak. Such a variable peak is desired for accurate timing of the direct signal while isolating close-in multipath and spoofing signals. The functionality of variable IF correlation in acquisition and its multipath performance are analyzed in a recent paper published in this journal. In this paper, the details of an implementation of variable IF tracking loop are presented with a theoretical background analysis. A publically available open-source software GPS receiver (SOFTGNSS V3.0) is modified into variable IF tracking loop and tested on real-world GPS C/A-code signals. The preliminary test results demonstrate increased code tracking accuracy as well as increased positioning performance.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 64, Number 4
Pages:	515 - 533
Cite this article:	Export Citation https://doi.org/10.1002/navi.212
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