The GReS Research Project: A GPS/Galileo Receiver for Space Applications

Andrea Di Cintio, Alberto Caliumi, Domenico Della Ratta, Maurizio Esposito Montefusco, Paolo Zambarbieri, Corrado Zoschg

Abstract:	GReS stands for GPS/GALIEO Receiver for Space Applications. The main objective of this research project, internally funded by Carlo Gavazzi Space (CGS), is to fully develop a CGS-proprietary space-qualified GPS/Galileo receiver, suitable for boarding on small LEO satellites, which are the core business of the company. The other objective of the project is to increase the GNSS expertise in the company, to be used for development of specific navigation application and/or of professional receivers for different classes of users. This can be accomplished thanks to the development strategy followed in the project, based on a Software-Defined-Radio approach. The project includes all those activities that are needed for such a complete receiver development, ranging from algorithmic studies on received signals to hardware/software development steps, to system validation and environmental qualification. The receiver is designed to be native primitive in the CGS standard satellite platforms, realizing a high level of integration with the AOCS sub-systems and OBDH units, in terms of interfaces and common services (power, clock, mechanics). Furthermore, this solution would avoid dependence from external GNSS receiver suppliers. The paper addresses the receiver concept design and how it has been implemented in a bread-board. A detailed description of the hardware and software components is provided, together with the main system validation steps and some preliminary results on the integration of RF/IF and Digital boards. A clear path to the design and development of a flight unit is also presented, tackling the main issues typically faced when building a space-qualified product.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2010 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 25 - 27, 2010 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	501 - 513
Cite this article:	Di Cintio, Andrea, Caliumi, Alberto, Della Ratta, Domenico, Montefusco, Maurizio Esposito, Zambarbieri, Paolo, Zoschg, Corrado, "The GReS Research Project: A GPS/Galileo Receiver for Space Applications," Proceedings of the 2010 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 2010, pp. 501-513.
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