Aircraft Carrier Multipath Modeling for Sea-Based JPALS

Jan P. Weiss, Steve Anderson, Corey Fenwick, Lin S. Stowe, Penina Axelrad, Sean M. Calhoun and Richard P. Pennline

Abstract:	This paper provides an overview of multipath modeling for the Sea-Based Joint Precision and Landing System (JPALS). The model integrates a detailed structural model of the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, receiving antenna gain and phase patterns, receiver tracking loop models, and satellite motions to simulate both code and carrier phase tracking errors due to multipath. These efforts complement analysis of actual shipboard test data [2] and use one dockside data set for model validation. For this purpose, a top-level yardarm antenna/receiver system is simulated and the multipath results are compared to actual test data. Comparisons are given in the form of code multipath time histories and elevation dependent error statistics. The statistical comparisons show that the model accurately captures elevation dependent elevation error magnitudes and trends. Simulated carrier phase multipath results show 1-ó magnitudes of under 0.5 cm and maximum errors of less than 1.5 cm. The Advanced GNSS Multipath Model is also used to evaluate expected performance of fixed and beamsteering controlled radiation pattern antennas located on both the top and middle levels of the yardarm structure. The results show higher levels of multipath at the middle yardarm location, primarily due to additional multipath reflections/diffractions from the top yardarm. Improved multipath performance with beam-steering antenna is demonstrated on both yardarm levels.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2005) September 13 - 16, 2005 Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA
Pages:	2697 - 2706
Cite this article:	Weiss, Jan P., Anderson, Steve, Fenwick, Corey, Stowe, Lin S., Axelrad, Penina, Calhoun, Sean M., Pennline, Richard P., "Aircraft Carrier Multipath Modeling for Sea-Based JPALS," Proceedings of the 18th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2005), Long Beach, CA, September 2005, pp. 2697-2706.
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