Pre-Launch Testing of GPS Receivers for Geodetic Space Missions

George Davis, Edward Davis, Scott Luthcke and Kimberly Hawkins

Abstract:	The methodology used and the results obtained in the pre-flight testing of the Blackjack GPS space receiver for the VCL and ICESat spacecraft is described. Both real and simulated signals were used to: (1) assess the accuracy and coverage of the navigation solutions, (2) assess the accuracy and stability of the 1-PPS timing signal, (3) assess the precision of the carrier phase observable, and (4) measure the cold-start time to first fix. In addition, an anechoic chamber was used to measure the antenna phase centers with mm-level precision. While the test results have generally been excellent and are discussed in this paper, emphasis is placed on describing the test methodology. It is anticipated that future geodetic satellite missions using GPS for navigation, timing, and POD can employ the same tests for pre-launch performance assessment of their particular receiver.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000) September 19 - 22, 2000 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	2009 - 2018
Cite this article:	Davis, George, Davis, Edward, Luthcke, Scott, Hawkins, Kimberly, "Pre-Launch Testing of GPS Receivers for Geodetic Space Missions," Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2000, pp. 2009-2018.
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