Spacecrafts navigation signal research based on GNSS constellation

Abstract

This paper analyzes the navigation signal design for space applications, especially for the high earth orbit spacecrafts which have a severely limited view of the main beams of the traditional GNSS signals. Based on the MEO constellation and antenna direction, a navigation signal is derived for space applications. This signal is farther analyzed and simulated according to the transmit antenna pattern, visibility, navigation capability and reception. The results show that the minimum received signal power is -167.3 dBW when the transmit power is 20 dBW and the transmit beam half angle is 60. Simulation shows that the geostationary users can achieve the visibility of 11 satellites and the positioning precision of about 18.2, which can meet the navigation requirements of high earth orbit spacecraft. The analysis in this paper provides a possible solution for the space navigation signal design in the Chinese Compass construction. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.