GPS/GNSS Interference from Iridium Data Transmitters
Abstract
The Iridium satellite communication system broadcasts in the 1610 to 1626.5 MHz band. The L1 frequencies broadcast by GPS, Galileo and GLONASS satellites are 1575.42 MHz, 1575.42 MHz and 1602 MHz + n × 0.5625 MHz, respectively (each GLONASS satellite uses a unique frequency). The proximity of the Iridium frequency band with the L1 frequencies of the GPS, Galileo and GLONASS systems leaves GNSS receivers susceptible to interference from Iridium data transmissions. Interference from Iridium transmissions can cause cycle slips and loss of lock on the carrier and code phases, thereby degrading the quality of GNSS observations and position estimates. In 2008, UNAVCO staff members observed that the percent of slips vs. the number of observations increased as the distance between a GPS choke ring antenna (TRM29659.00) and an Iridium antenna decreased. From those observations they suggested that Iridium antennas and GPS antennas should be separated by >30 m to minimize cycle slips caused by the interference from Iridium data transmissions. A second test conducted in 2009 using a newer Trimble GNSS choke ring antenna (TRM59800.00) showed similar results to the previous test despite the wider frequency range of the newer antenna. More recent testing conducted to investigate the response of new receiver models to iridium transmissions has shown that many GNSS enabled models, when combined with GNSS enabled antennas, have increased sensitivity to interference when compared to older GPS-only models. The broader frequency spectrum of the Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) installed in many newer GNSS antennas can increase the impact of near-band RF interference on tracking performance. Our testing has shown that the quality of data collected at sites collocated with iridium communications is highly degraded for antenna separations exceeding 100m. Using older GPS antenna models (e.g. TRM29659.00) with newer GNSS enabled receivers can reduce this effect. To mitigate the effects that iridium data transmissions have on receiver tracking performance, we tested a custom cavity-type notch filter designed to attenuate the Iridium RF band. The filter has a >20dB rejection at 1616-1626.5 MHz. Test results when using the filter have shown excellent GPS data quality at antenna separations of ~30 m. Determining what impact the filter has on GLONASS and Galileo observations will require further testing. Future investigations will also include alternative RF mitigation methods, including RF shielding.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.G31A0940B
- Keywords:
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- 1241 GEODESY AND GRAVITY / Satellite geodesy: technical issues;
- 1299 GEODESY AND GRAVITY / General or miscellaneous;
- 8194 TECTONOPHYSICS / Instruments and techniques;
- 9805 GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS / Instruments useful in three or more fields