Performance Analysis of a Novel Hot Start Vector Tracking Receiver

Hendrix Hubbard, Scott Martin

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	This paper introduces a novel method for initializing a vector processing receiver by leveraging observables and ephemeris data from a base station. Vector tracking requires an initial position estimate and decoded ephemeris data to commence processing - this information is traditionally supplied by scalar tracking. Without prior knowledge, the software-defined receiver (SDR) can immediately activate vector tracking and generate an initial position estimate, bypassing the satellite acquisition phase and the typical 18-30 second delay associated with decoding ephemeris. The receiver architecture incorporates additional correlators located outside the ±1 chip threshold of the GPS L1 pseudorandom noise (PRN) autocorrelation peak. These correlators provide critical insight into the signal power distribution. This enables the tracking loop to accurately align the code replica even when the receiver lacks a precise initial position estimate and the code phase lies outside of the typical Delay Lock Loop (DLL) pull-in region.
Published in:	Proceedings of the ION 2026 Pacific PNT Meeting April 13 - 16, 2026 Hilton Waikiki Beach Honolulu, Hawaii
Pages:	365 - 378
Cite this article:	Hubbard, Hendrix, Martin, Scott, "Performance Analysis of a Novel Hot Start Vector Tracking Receiver," Proceedings of the ION 2026 Pacific PNT Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 2026, pp. 365-378. https://doi.org/10.33012/2026.20581
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