GNSS Remote Sensing and Technology Demonstration on TechDemoSat-1

M. Unwin, P. Blunt, R. de Vos van Steenwijk, S. Duncan, G. Martin, P. Jales

Abstract:	Scientific and operational users across the globe would benefit from better temporal and spatial knowledge of sea state. Constellations of satellites are being deployed for telecommunications purposes and remote sensing payloads hosted by such constellations would be an effective way to increase the density of measurements. Two payloads that would address these needs are being flown on TechDemoSat-1 satellite, the SSP Altimeter and the SGR-ReSI GNSS remote sensing instrument. TechDemoSat-1 is a collaborative project between industry and academia to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of state-of-the-art small satellite technology for scientific and commercial applications. The SGR-ReSI is one of the key payloads, a highly versatile and uniquely capable GNSS receiver that will support a number of remote sensing applications and technology demonstrations onboard TechDemoSat-1. This paper describes the development and test of the instrument and the platform to support these applications and shows some results from lab tests on the flight units. Based on COTS parts, the SGR-ReSI builds on the expertise Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and Surrey Space Centre (SSC) have developed in the field of GNSS signals, navigation and remote sensing from Low Earth Orbit. With the addition of multiple frequency RF front-ends, reconfigurable DSP capabilities, a data recorder and specialised antennas, the SGR-ReSI will support both Reflectometry and Radio Occultation remote sensing applications. The instrument design onboard TechDemoSat-1 will also support technology demonstrations of GNSS attitude determination, tracking techniques for new GNSS signals and multi-frequency,multi-constellation operation in space.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2011) September 20 - 23, 2011 Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon Portland, OR
Pages:	2970 - 2975
Cite this article:	Unwin, M., Blunt, P., van Steenwijk, R. de Vos, Duncan, S., Martin, G., Jales, P., "GNSS Remote Sensing and Technology Demonstration on TechDemoSat-1," Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2011), Portland, OR, September 2011, pp. 2970-2975.
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