Modular GPS Software Radio Architecture

Neil Gerein and Alison Brown

Abstract:	Software radio technology provides advanced signal processing and multi-band multi-mode software-based RF receiver capabilities. When applied to GPS, this software radio technology provides the ability to add in new GPS waveform applications through only software and/or firmware modifications to the GPS receiver. A major benefit of this approach is that GPS users will no longer be forced to purchase new GPS hardware if their needs change or to take advantage of next generation GPS capabilities. Software applications to fit changing requirements can instead be used to upgrade the GPS software radio. GPS receivers will also not require unique GPS hardware but can be implemented as one of multiple waveforms being processed on a single software radio. NAVSYS has developed a prototype modular GPS software radio that runs on a PC-based platform using a software and firmware reprogrammable architecture. In this paper this architecture is described and test results are presented with discussion of the GPS software radio performance in implementing the next generation of GPS waveforms and algorithms.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001) September 11 - 14, 2001 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	2048 - 2058
Cite this article:	Gerein, Neil, Brown, Alison, "Modular GPS Software Radio Architecture," Proceedings of the 14th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2001), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2001, pp. 2048-2058.
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