Analysis of GNSS Signals using the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope

Abstract

Recent experiments have shown that a valuable way to monitor the quality of the signal broadcast by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites is to use a high gain antenna. Signal monitoring experiments are important to check the health of the electronic devices on board of the satellite just after the launch, but also to characterize the signal quality over time. In fact, for high performance applications such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS)-based aircraft navigation and landing systems , even small errors due to signal distortions must be considered in the error budget. This paper describes the experiment performed in Green Bank, West Virginia (U.S.A.), where a 110 meter high gain antenna has been used to track several GNSS satellites. After the description of the system set up, the paper will present interesting results obtained in post processing through a toolset, specifically developed for this type of analysis.