Experimental Framework for Hybrid Navigation Terminals Exploiting LEO PNT Constellations

Francis Soualle, José A. del Peral-Rosado, Gabriele Ligorio, Saggad Al Faris, Florian Binder, Christian Lichtenberger, Thomas Pany, Jon Winkel, Luca Canzian, Federica Rozzi, Marco Rotoloni, Stefano Garlaschi, Giacomo Castellan, Ottavio Picchi, Francesco Menzione, Juan Pablo Boyero

Abstract:	The development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) initiatives has firmly established these technologies as essential components of the space-based PNT ecosystem, complementing traditional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and their augmentations. LEO-PNT systems are distinguished by their technological, architectural, operational and industrial diversity, integrating a wide range of paradigms from uncooperative Signals of Opportunity (SoP) and Fused Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) configurations to resilient L-band augmentations for existing GNSS systems. These systems operate across a broad frequency spectrum, from VHF/UHF to S and Ku/Ka-Bands, supporting modern 5G NTN narrowband and broadband constellations. This diversity attracts both institutional and private stakeholders with promising business models focused on delivering accuracy, resilience, and robustness in PNT services. The European Commission's Hybrid-PNT study seeks to explore and evaluate these opportunities through the creation of a unified experimental framework. This framework is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of navigation performance, from feasibility studies to detailed signal design implementation. This paper presents insights into the developed toolchain, which is capable of managing both conventional CDMA and novel 5G NTN OFDM navigation signals, covering a significant portion of current and anticipated LEO-PNT signal structures. The design emphasizes flexibility, offering configurations ranging from pure simulation to the integration of real and synthetic signals. The architecture and core components leverage state-of-the-art technologies for space, ground, and user segment simulation, signal generation, and processing. The Airbus LEON-tool supports standard LEO-PNT antennas and multi-beam 5G-NTN satellite communications. The Qascom signal generator, QA707, is enhanced to accommodate wideband signals, LEO dynamics, and new waveform components like 5G Position Reference Signals (PRS). The UniBW MUSNAT SDR receiver provides a flexible solution for processing a variety of CDMA and OFDM signal variations through generalized correlation techniques. Furthermore, the Airbus PIPE navigation tool allows for rapid mapping of signal processing into the positioning performance domain, incorporating both standard and advanced sequential estimation techniques. This paper discusses the validation methodologies, founded on an agile approach, and examines the design trade-offs involved. Initial experimental results demonstrate the capability to handle diverse scenarios and hybridize pure navigation and broadband communication signals, confirming early simulation findings. These results contribute to reducing risks in the design of next-generation LEO-PNT solutions, including the potential to repurpose communication systems, such as the EU’s IRIS2 , and hybridize them to deliver robust and resilient PNT services.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025) September 8 - 12, 2025 Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Baltimore, Maryland
Pages:	2370 - 2400
Cite this article:	Soualle, Francis, del Peral-Rosado, José A., Ligorio, Gabriele, Faris, Saggad Al, Binder, Florian, Lichtenberger, Christian, Pany, Thomas, Winkel, Jon, Canzian, Luca, Rozzi, Federica, Rotoloni, Marco, Garlaschi, Stefano, Castellan, Giacomo, Picchi, Ottavio, Menzione, Francesco, Boyero, Juan Pablo, "Experimental Framework for Hybrid Navigation Terminals Exploiting LEO PNT Constellations," Proceedings of the 38th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2025), Baltimore, Maryland, September 2025, pp. 2370-2400. https://doi.org/10.33012/2025.20328
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