Apples to Apples: A Standardized Testing Methodology For High Sensitivity GNSS Receivers

Alexander Mitelman, Per-Ludvig Normark, Martin Reidevall, Stuart Strickland

Abstract:	Numerous approaches exist to characterize GNSS receiver sensitivity, and various receiver manufacturers routinely populate their data sheets with the results of their own individual tests. One of the weaknesses inherent in such tests is the lack of a standardized testing methodology, making it difficult to meaningfully compare receiver performance across different manufacturers. In this paper, we introduce a standard methodology for testing high sensitivity receivers. We propose precise definitions of the quantities of interest (acquisition, tracking, and reacquisition), describe a flexible testing setup designed to accommodate a variety of different receiver types, and propose specific input signals for testing each quantity described. We then discuss several often-ignored subtleties that can materially affect experimental results and quantify those effects. We conclude by presenting example results obtained by applying the proposed methodology to several different receivers.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007) September 25 - 28, 2007 Fort Worth Convention Center Fort Worth, TX
Pages:	1370 - 1379
Cite this article:	Mitelman, Alexander, Normark, Per-Ludvig, Reidevall, Martin, Strickland, Stuart, "Apples to Apples: A Standardized Testing Methodology For High Sensitivity GNSS Receivers," Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007), Fort Worth, TX, September 2007, pp. 1370-1379.
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