A modified PN code tracking loop - Its performance and implementation sensitivities

A modified noncoherent PN code tracking loop (MCTL) is presented. With hardware simplicity rivaling the tau-dither loop, the MCTL obtains an rms tracking jitter less than or equal to that of the traditional delay-locked code tracking loop (TCTL) for a given S/N. In addition to evaluating tracking jitter with broadband interference, this paper discusses the acquisition behavior of the MCTL and its sensitivity to hardware gain and phase imbalance. All results are compared to those for the TCTL.