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  • LEO PNT: Developing Simulation Environments Alongside New LEO Constellations Copy

    LEO PNT: Developing Simulation Environments Alongside New LEO Constellations Copy DOWNLOAD PDF By Alaiya Tuntemeke-Winter As more technology utilizes satellites for PNT information, it is integral to develop ways to test the functionality of PNT systems before they are deployed. It has become increasingly useful to develop a test environment for LEO constellations alongside the development of the constellations themselves. A flexible simulation system that can evolve is best equipped for the advent of new LEO constellations. Developing simulation hand in hand with developing the constellation itself has several advantages. Simulation can be implemented at various stages of the process. By developing new constellations and simulation simultaneously, the PNT system can be thoroughly tested before the satellites are deployed. This can further streamline the process between the developers of the constellation and the receivers with quick feedback loops to assist in the design. It can lead to increased communication with the receiver developers and give more insight in addition to modeling. It also means that simulation capability can be available along with the introduction of the constellation itself. In the past, there have been instances of the constellation being deployed but there being few ways for the receiver manufacturers to test their solutions, slowing down the development process. By testing using simulation, developers can test functionality early in the development process, rather than awaiting deployment of the constellation for the chance to field test; receivers and systems can be tested during development for common problem scenarios, such as GPS denied environments via canyons or other outages as well as other types of vulnerabilities. This can give developers a head-start in vetting potentially unforeseen issues the receiver may experience using the new constellation. After implementation simulation can be used to repeat any problems encountered in field tests for faster and more effective testing. Fixes can be implemented in a lab setting before going out again for field testing. This can save time and resources, as there is no need to go all the way to the field test stage every time a problem arises or to test a fix. Using a simulation test bed helps to speed up the development process and to save time and money throughout. Developing simulation alongside the development of the constellation gives simulators the time they need for the capability to be ready when the constellation deploys. If simulation development does not begin until after the constellation is deployed, the development of receivers that can use the new constellation data may be slowed by the inability to test and collect data. Some types of simulators take more time to develop the ability to simulate new constellations, as they may need to develop new software, hardware, or a combination of both. Parallel development of the new constellation and the simulation test bed allows for both simulation capability and constellation availability to time align in the development process. The BroadSim product line provides a dynamic simulator within its software-defined architecture. It is “future-proof” as it can grow and change with new constellations or changes in old ones. It also takes advantage of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products to increase system performance. This means two things; one, rather than focusing on hardware improvements, the engineers can focus on the simulation side of the system. Two, upgrade cycles are possible more frequently. BroadSim provides open-source libraries and plug-ins to increase the capability of their simulation solution. One major benefit of software-defined simulation systems regarding LEO constellations is that the GPU can handle the generation of more signals than a traditional FPGA-driven simulation solution. This is because in a true software-defined system there are no fixed hardware channels limiting the number of signals that can be generated. This is especially relevant in LEO constellations as there are more satellites in LEO orbit than there are in the GNSS constellations that have been simulated in the past. Another benefit is that if the limit is ever reached, a GPU can simply be added, and the same simulation tool can continue to be used. This leads to another benefit – the flexibility of the system. New constellations can be incorporated with software instead of additional hardware. This means when new constellations are complete, developers can access those new constellations with a mere software update. Software-defined simulators evolve to support LEO constellations and more rapid development. How simulation can aid development Examples of software-defined simulation in BroadSim BroadSim is an example of this flexibility in motion. With BroadSim, new constellations and signals become available in the tool as they are introduced or are more commonly used in receivers, such as QZSS, BeiDou, and M-Code. Simulators allow users to thoroughly test how receivers or whole systems work during specific scenarios, giving them the ability to see all-in-sky satellites and terrain effects, and provide refresh rates that translate into real-time processing for fast-moving applications. This makes it possible to test acquisition time, view relative receiver power data, and collect other relevant data to further development, as well as automate commands to speed up testing. The flexibility of the system is demonstrated by its proven ability to simulate existing LEO constellations. Using BroadSim powered by Skydel, there are multiple built-in ways to create LEO constellations. One such way is using BroadSim’s plug-in tool, which has already seen success. This tool allows users to develop features and integrate them into the BroadSim user interface and real-time simulation engine. BroadSim also provides the ability to modify existing constellations with custom signals and the addition of data sets to manipulate orbital and ephemeris data. In the future, a growing list of constellations will become available for selection within the tool. Orolia Defense & Security is integrating new constellations today, and can help do the same for yours. BroadSim Simulation In conclusion, developing simulation capability alongside the development of constellations is to the advantage of the engineer who will be able to test without delay. Those simulators can aid in the design process by allowing rapid testing and development, speeding up time to market, and increasing cost savings by reducing field test cycles and hours. Software-defined simulators are more equipped to handle LEO constellations. They are not limited in the number of signals they can produce via hardware; they are agile in that they can increase available constellations and capability without needing any hardware upgrades. New features and constellations are available with just a software upgrade, and the user community can create new ways to use the tool using open-source plug-ins to meet their needs. BroadSim already has initial support for LEO simulation using the plugin tool and Orolia is actively taking inquiries from users and providers to partner with them and integrate their solution. DOWNLOAD PDF

  • Expansion of Rochester Business will Support Federal Initiatives

    Expansion of Rochester Business will Support Federal Initiatives ROCHESTER, NY, February 20, 2020 Orolia employees eagerly welcomed Joe Morelle, representative for New York's 25th congressional district, on Wednesday morning at their office in Rochester’s neighborhood of the arts. Earlier in the week, the federal government issued an Executive Order on Strengthening National Resilience through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services – reinforcing the pertinence of the meeting to soon take place. During the meeting, several topics were discussed including PNT technology, related threats to our national security, the need to protect our critical infrastructure systems, and how Orolia is currently creating innovative solutions that address the premise of those very issues. Since Orolia’s beginning in Rochester, they have added 40+ new employees to its staff to support future Resilient PNT projects for commercial and government customers, seeing 61% in overall growth, with expectations for growth to continue. “Rochester is home to some incredible businesses that are doing important work to equip the branches of our military with state-of-the-art technology,” said Morelle. Advocation for Resilient PNT efforts at the federal level is essential. Equally important is the effect it has on job creation and economic benefits within the Rochester community. “Orolia is proud to call Rochester our home. The level of experience and talent fostered right here in Rochester has directly impacted our ability to build an amazing team who unquestionably contributes to our success, and therefore the strength of our national security,” said Hironori Sasaki, President of Orolia Defense & Security. Orolia will exhibit at the 2020 AUSA Global Force Symposium & Expo, March 17th – 19th in Huntsville, AL, to showcase a selection of Resilient PNT solutions. About Orolia Orolia is the world leader in Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions that improve the reliability, performance and safety of critical, remote or high-risk operations, even in GPS denied environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Orolia provides virtually fail-safe GPS/GNSS and PNT solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. For more information about Orolia, visit www.Orolia.com . About Orolia Defense & Security Orolia Defense & Security provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. defense organizations, and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market. For more information about Orolia Defense & Security, visit www.OroliaDS.com . Contact: Rachael Smith 614-736-3736 rachael.smith@oroliaDS.com VIEW PDF

  • Rochester Democrat And Chronicle Names Safran Federal Systems a Winner of the Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2024 Award

    Rochester Democrat And Chronicle Names Safran Federal Systems a Winner of the Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2024 Award ROCHESTER, NY, March 26, 2023 Rochester, New York, April 11, 2024 - Safran Federal Systems has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2024 honor by Rochester Top Workplaces. This list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few. “Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.” “We're thrilled that for the second year in a row, Safran Federal Systems has been ranked a Top Workplace in Rochester,” said Holly Cicconi-Eggleston, Safran Federal Systems Vice President of Human Resources. “This wouldn't be possible without our incredible local community and employees, and the culture they have cultivated. It all comes down to their commitment and enthusiasm. Last year was an incredible period of growth and achievement for our company, and we hope to continue on the same path this year, fueled by the momentum from this award.” About Safran Federal Systems Safran Federal Systems provides Assured PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Safran Federal Systems is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. Your Assured PNT Mission Partner, from the Lab to the Field. ™ Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company and wholly owned subsidiary of Safran. Press Contact: Rachael Smith rachael.smith@safranFS.com +1 (614) 736-3736 Awards About Energage Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com . VIEW PDF

  • Defense PNT in Challenged Environments

    Defense PNT in Challenged Environments DOWNLOAD PDF By Tim Erbes DOWNLOAD PDF

  • 2019 GPS Week Rollover: Assurance Made Easy

    2019 GPS Week Rollover: Assurance Made Easy DOWNLOAD PDF By Chris Kiedrowicz DOWNLOAD PDF

  • U.S. Air Force Procures Orolia’s CRPA Testing Solution

    U.S. Air Force Procures Orolia’s CRPA Testing Solution ROCHESTER, NY, February 15, 2022 DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited Orolia Defense & Security , the No. 1 provider of software-defined simulation solutions for navigation warfare, was selected by the U.S. Air Force Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility to deliver a BroadSim Wavefront. BroadSim Wavefront is a pillar of innovation among Orolia’s Skydel-powered advanced GNSS simulators. The GWEF provides laboratory testing and simulation tools for developing precision-guided weapon technology, including a comprehensive scope of GPS/INS systems and integrated components like sensors, signals of opportunity and Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas. CRPAs are fundamental in many platforms due to their enhanced protection against electronic attacks in NAVWAR environments. The Broadsim Wavefront simulator will be integrated into a test environment for networked, collaborative and autonomous weapon systems being developed under the Golden Horde program. Golden Horde is one of four Air Force Vanguard programs designed to rapidly advance emerging weapons systems and warfighting concepts through prototype and experimentation. Of the several capabilities the GWEF required, features such as low-latency hardware-in-the-loop, automated calibration, and the flexibility to quickly integrate future signals and sensors were the most critical and serve as a key reason Orolia’s BroadSim Wavefront was selected. This system will also be capable of testing eight-element CRPA systems, eight simultaneous Fixed Radiation Pattern Antenna systems, or a combination of CRPA and FRPA systems. “When designing BroadSim Wavefront, we re-imagined every aspect for the user,” said Tyler Hohman, director of products for Orolia Defense & Security. “Though the GWEF unit contains eight nodes (corresponding to each antenna element), it can be scaled from four to 16 antenna elements. One of the greatest advancements is our continuous phase monitoring and compensation technique. It automatically monitors, aligns and adjusts the phase of each RF output continuously throughout the duration of a scenario.” Watch the Skydel Wavefront calibration tutorial on Orolia Defense & Security’s YouTube channel. “Gone are the days of re-calibrating each frequency on your system, limiting your scenario duration or re-calibration every time you power cycle your system,” added Hohman. “Simply turn the system on, start the scenario, and your Wavefront system phase aligns and remains aligned for the entirety of the test.” Leveraging the Skydel Simulation Engine , BroadSim Wavefront also supports high-dynamics, MNSA M-Code, alternative RF navigation, open-source IMU plug-in and 1000Hz iteration update rate. “Because of the software-defined architecture, many upgrades don’t require additional hardware, which has been a crucial advantage for customers who are already using this solution,” Hohman said. The next generation of CRPA testing is led by BroadSim Wavefront. For more information, visit www.oroliads.com/broadsim-wavefront . Ask about Orolia's wavefront superiority by contacting sales@OroliaDS.com . About Orolia Defense & Security Orolia Defense & Security provides resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. www.OroliaDS.com Orolia Defense & Security operates as a proxy-regulated company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Orolia. Contact: Rachael Smith 614-736-3736 rachael.smith@oroliaDS.com VIEW PDF

  • WhitePapers

    Item List 2019 GPS Week Rollover: Assurance Made Easy As an engineer testing navigation systems, it is critical to be be hardware-prepared, able to conduct post-event analysis with ease, and to understand and interpret your data with clarity and confidence. Read More Addressing Assured PNT needs through Open Standards This white paper guides engineering staff, integrators, and decision makers in recognizing the need for assured PNT in modernized systems. The adoption of open standard elements leads to improvements in technical performance and sustainment of systems... Read More An Engineer’s Guide to CRPA Testing This guide discusses applications and use cases for CRPAs, and methods for testing them. It explores various test solutions available today, and helps you choose the right solution for your specific application. Read More Automating The Advanced GNSS Spoofing Simulation Tutorial This paper provides a step-by-step walk-through on how to start the intuitive automation process and an example script from the Advanced GNSS Spoofing Simulation Tutorial. Read More BroadSim Flex Power Application Note Did you know that all BroadSim users can easily and automatically adjust the signal power of any code type for the satellites in your scenario? This free Flex Power feature can come in handy when creating scenarios for your unit under test... Read More BroadSim's Real-Time Terrain Effects Establishing realistic terrain effects within a NAVWAR simulator is becoming a highly sought-after feature when testing PNT systems for the warfighter. The BroadSim Product Family now provides a real-time Terrain Plug-In solution... Read More Controlling Power & Pseudorange Offsets of a Repeater Threat This paper outlines how to turn on/off spoofers and repeaters, adjust their power, and set a pseudorange offset. An example scenario will show the manual process by configuring the Skydel instances and the automated process by utilizing Skydel’s Python API. Read More Defense PNT in Challenged Environments Reliance of GPS in modern land-warfare systems, potential effects of GPS disruption on their operation and considerations for protecting their ability to continue operating in a GPS-disrupted environment. Read More Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications More space missions are taking place in Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). Newer, more advanced receivers are needed to have sufficient PNT capabilities. Doppler shifts experienced on these missions will be high, however, robust testing to ensure mission success is achievable... Read More Equipment Pointing & Radar Directional Capabilities For Defense Applications Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) that provide true north-finding capabilities is an extremely helpful and flexible alternative because it allows vehicles to have high accuracy orientation capabilities for their mounted weapons or radar payloads. Read More GPS Receiver Testing: From the Lab to the Field "Fun" and "productive" aren't your typical words used to describe testing. But with PANACEA, testing is more than just a task. Capture meaningful data, get quicker results with less effort and make decisions. Read More How to Defend Against Interference at Sea GPS jamming and spoofing attacks pose a great risk to vessels at sea, causing them to drift into hostile waters unknowingly. A solution is here and available today, ready to defend and protect. Read More

  • Orolia Defense & Security Awarded $1.7M U.S. Military Contract

    Orolia Defense & Security Awarded $1.7M U.S. Military Contract ROCHESTER, NY, June 18, 2020 In a recently awarded contract, the U.S. military selected Orolia Defense and Security to supply multiple BroadSim™ advanced GPS simulator systems, a contract valued at $1.7 million (USD), in an effort to upgrade testing facilities and field test assets. These new simulator systems will enable better testing of widely deployed military GPS receivers, which are integrated into air and ground-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems. BroadSim will be leveraged with Orolia’s PANACEA™ test suite, currently utilized by the U.S. military to conduct automated testing and analysis for PNT system performance, vulnerabilities, and more. BroadSim will bring versatility to the testing process by supporting diverse test methods and environments such as a laboratory setting, or an Over-The-Air (OTA) field test event. BroadSim was selected based on its flexibility to support the ever-changing military tasks at hand. It can be easily configured to support laboratory testing one day, and field testing the next with its four independent RF outputs, removable drives, and software-defined architecture. “Equipping our actively deployed warfighters with state-of-the-art technology is of utmost importance and can mean the difference between mission success and failure. To help achieve that goal, Orolia’s GPS testing and simulation solutions ensure that these systems are battlefield ready,” said Tyler Hohman, Orolia Defense and Security’s Director of Products. Now more than ever, strong relationships between government and industry are vital to drive innovation and maximize the impact of available resources. The U.S. military and other federal agencies such as DHS host several test events per year where industry partners are invited to participate, such as GPS Testing for Critical Infrastructure (GET-CI) . Orolia will host a webinar on this topic on Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 PM EDT, titled “PNT Vulnerability Testing for Critical Infrastructure - Lessons Learned from Defense.” The federal government considers PNT to be a critical aspect of mission success, as outlined in this recent C4ISRNET Whitepaper “Protecting the U.S. Military PNT Advantage from GPS Jamming and Spoofing” and defined in the PNT Executive Order . For the 2021 federal fiscal year, the U.S. Army alone budgeted over $275 million towards Assured PNT Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E), as published in the 2021 Defense Budget. For more information about Orolia Defense & Security, visit www.OroliaDS.com . About Orolia Defense & Security Orolia Defense & Security provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. defense organizations, and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market. About Orolia Orolia is the world leader in Resilient PNT solutions that improve the reliability, performance and safety of critical, remote or high-risk operations, even in GPS denied environments. With a presence in more than 100 countries, Orolia provides virtually fail-safe GPS/GNSS and PNT solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. www.Orolia.com Contact: Rachael Smith 614-736-3736 rachael.smith@oroliaDS.com VIEW PDF

  • Orolia Defense & Security ignites new era as Safran Federal Systems at the 2023 Joint Navigation Conference

    Orolia Defense & Security ignites new era as Safran Federal Systems at the 2023 Joint Navigation Conference ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 12, 2023 The Leader in M-Code PNT Solutions announces re-brand, introduces Inertial Navigation offering Orolia Defense & Security, a Safran Electronics & Defense company, has announced at the Institute of Navigation’s 2023 Joint Navigation Conference that it will re-brand under a new name, Safran Federal Systems, following its 2022 acquisition by Safran, a global aerospace and defense company. “Though our name and look are changing, our people, our operations, and our leadership team remain the same. The name Safran Federal Systems signifies being part of the Safran Group, a world leader in aerospace and defense, while reflecting what we do best, serving our U.S. Government & Military customers with cutting-edge positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems,” said Hironori Sasaki, President of Safran Federal Systems. “We remain fully committed to ensuring the success of our customers and the success of our warfighters. By joining the Safran Group, we are excited to be able to offer an even larger portfolio of industry-leading technology tailored for the U.S. military.” In addition to its Resilient PNT solutions, M-Code/GNSS testing and simulation tools, precision time synchronization systems and navigation warfare (NAVWAR) equipment, Safran Federal Systems is now one of the only companies with a full complement of PNT technologies with proven inertial navigation solutions. “The Safran Federal Systems inertial navigation portfolio now includes the Hemispherical Resonator Gyro (HRG) Crystal™ technology, which leverages state-of-the-art manufacturing and offers revolutionary performance and reliability over existing technologies, for tactical to strategic applications across all military domains,” said Jon Leombrone, Executive Vice President of Navigation Systems at Safran Federal Systems. “With more than 30,000 HRGs produced and over 15 million operational hours, the technology is proven and tested in military applications worldwide.” Safran Federal Systems continues to be the trusted Resilient PNT solution provider for military end users and industry partners, from the lab to the field. Safran Federal Systems continues to operate as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI), approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects. Visit Safran Federal Systems at JNC in booth #500 from Tuesday, June 13–Wednesday, June 14. Safran Federal Systems provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Safran Federal Systems is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). For more information: www.safranfederalsystems.com Press Contact: Rachael Smith: rachael.smith@safranFS.com / +1 (614) 736-3736 VIEW PDF

  • Simulation Against Jamming and Spoofing

    Simulation Against Jamming and Spoofing DOWNLOAD PDF By Tim Erbes DOWNLOAD PDF

  • Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications

    Doppler Effects on Spaceborne PNT Applications DOWNLOAD PDF By Joshua Prentice Since the very first space missions positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) have been crucial for spaceborne applications. Traditionally, space vehicle PNT has been achieved through various combinations of ground stations, optical navigation, onboard high-precision clocks, inertial measurement units, and other methods. Only recently, however, has existing global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) been added to that list. GNSS constellations were designed to provide PNT for Earth-borne applications taking place on the ground, sea, or in the atmosphere. As such, those GNSS waveforms are primarily aimed toward the Earth, but there is a small amount of spill-over of the main lobe beyond the silhouette of Earth and into space. Additionally, the side lobes of most GNSS waveforms are also broadcast into space beyond Earth. Because these signals are visible from orbit, they can conceivably be used for the PNT of space vehicles. In terms of spaceborne navigation from GNSS constellations, there are generally two main orbital regions of concern. Altitudes between Earth and the GNSS altitude, known as being under the “canopy”, and altitudes above the GNSS canopy as shown below in Figure 1. Figure 1: Below and Above the GNSS Canopy When orbiting the Earth underneath the GNSS canopy the receiver antenna must point “skyward” towards the GNSS constellations. This scenario is more closely related to traditional GNSS navigation, although satellites will rise and set more frequently. The full spectrum of these signals is available with the advantage of stronger signal strength compared to surface and low-atmospheric operations. In scenarios where the receiver vehicle is orbiting above the GNSS canopy, navigating based on GNSS constellations becomes much more difficult as the only available portions of the waveform are the main lobe spill-over and the side lobes. For simplification and to limit the scope of this tech brief, the primary area of concern will be space vehicles in geocentric orbits beneath the GNSS canopy. When navigating from GNSS signals Doppler shift is always present no matter how close to the GNSS canopy the receiver is. However, when the navigating receiver is traveling at velocities necessary to maintain a stable orbit, the Doppler shift is much greater. Figure 2: Doppler shift diagram The Doppler shift change in frequency can be expressed as (Parker, 2017): In equation (1) 𝑓₀ is the source carrier frequency, Δ𝑣 is the relative velocity of the space vehicles, and 𝑐₀ is the speed of light. This equation does not account for ionospheric and tropospheric effects encountered when GNSS signals pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. When considering equation (1) for multiple scenarios and orbital altitudes, the speed of light is a constant, and depending on the GNSS constellation being used so is the source carrier frequency. Thus, the biggest factor affecting Doppler shift is the relative velocity of the space vehicles. Because the satellites that make up GNSS constellations are held to very strict orbits with known orbital velocities and those orbits are maintained throughout the lifetime of the constellation, the determining factor of the relative velocity for any given mission is the orbital velocity of the receiver vehicle. It follows that the goal in computing a theoretical maximum Doppler shift a spaceborne receiver may encounter is to maximize the relative velocity between the receiver vehicle and the GNSS vehicle. A scenario that would accomplish this would be a receiver vehicle in very low earth orbit (VLEO) tracking GNSS signals. Spaceborne missions taking place in LEO are a unique case of GNSS PNT due to the high relative velocity compared to the GNSS constellation vehicles while still being beneath the GNSS canopy. The dynamics of such a scenario are some of the highest that a receiver may experience during typical PNT operations. As such, the Doppler search space of receivers deployed in LEO must be much wider than needed for ground, sea, and airborne missions. One example of a very low earth orbit mission (VLEO) is the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE). The GOCE mission required extremely precise orbit determination to carry out its scientific objective of mapping Earth’s gravity field to an accuracy of 1-2 cm. The GOCE space vehicle maintained an average orbital altitude of 255 km, placing the average orbital velocity around 8 ᵏᵐ⁄ₛ (European Space Agency, 2022). The GOCE mission tracked GPS signals to assist in orbit determination. GPS satellites orbit at an altitude of 20,200 km with an average orbital velocity of roughly 4 ᵏᵐ⁄ₛ (US Space Force, 2022). Figure 3: GOCE Missions in VLEO have much shorter durations than other spaceborne missions due to the need for constant orbital maintenance maneuvers to counteract the atmospheric drag, and as such, it can be considered the lower limit of possible orbital altitudes. To estimate a maximum possible Doppler shift the worst possible case scenario would be the receiver satellite travelling in exactly the opposite direction (±180°) of the GNSS vehicle. While this is generally a very rare situation some space vehicles do travel in non-standard orbits, so it is possible. Thus, the relative velocity of the space vehicles can be expressed as: Where: So that: Note that all velocities are expressed as linear for simplification. With an established relative velocity, the maximum estimated Doppler shift can be calculated using the following values: Calculating the Doppler shift using the equation (1) results in: With a worst-case-scenario Doppler shift of 63 kHz, it is imperative to ensure the receiver being placed into orbit can perform under such conditions. Skydel Simulation Engine of the BroadSim product line is capable of simulating spaceborne scenarios, even under conditions where Doppler shift is maximized. One of the default vehicle profiles within Skydel is an Earth-orbiting spacecraft with highly customizable Keplerian elements to define the exact orbit thereceiver vehicle will experience. Should the default spacecraft profile not provide enough customization, Skydel can also be interfaced through hardware in the loop (HIL) where exact positions are pushed tothe simulator to simulate the specific trajectory of a receiver vehicle. Unlike some simulators where the Doppler shift will have to be either predetermined or manually added to the scenario, Skydel handles Doppler, ionospheric, and tropospheric effects automatically based on the scenario without requiring user input. Figure 4: Skydel Screenshot LEO and VLEO missions are becoming more and more popular especially in the fields of PNT, from both from a provider and user standpoint. To make sure those missions will have sufficient PNT capabilities advanced receivers will need to be used and new receivers will be developed to fill specific roles and advance current capabilities. While the Doppler shifts experienced by receivers on these missions will be high, robust testing to ensure mission success is capable using BroadSim simulation products powered by Skydel. References European Space Agency. (2022). GOCE Facts and Figures. Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/GOCE/Facts_and_figures Parker, M. (2017). Digital Signal Processing 101. Elsevier Inc. US Space Force. (2022). GPS: The Global Positioning System. Retrieved from https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/space/#orbits DOWNLOAD PDF

  • Orolia Defense & Security Adds New Simulator to BroadSim Product Line

    Orolia Defense & Security Adds New Simulator to BroadSim Product Line ROCHESTER, NY, August 25, 2021 BroadSim Solo Brings Advanced GNSS Scenario Creation to Every Engineer’s Desk Orolia Defense & Security, the leader in M-Code solutions for Resilient PNT, has released the latest addition to its GNSS simulator family, BroadSim Solo , today at the Institute of Navigation’s Joint Navigation Conference being held in Covington, Ky. The Solo joins the BroadSim line of Skydel-powered GNSS simulators, which includes models suited for Hardware-In-The-Loop and Multi-Element Antenna/CRPA testing. See the BroadSim Solo Demo LIVE at #JNC2021: BroadSim Solo will be demonstrated in the JNC Exhibit Hall at Orolia Defense & Security booth No. 117 today through Aug. 26. BroadSim Solo shares the same Skydel Simulation Engine that runs on a standard BroadSim, BroadSim Anechoic and BroadSim Wavefront. It supports advanced scenario creation features and the benefits provided by a software-defined architecture such as high-dynamics, 1000Hz iteration update rate and ultra-low latency of 5ms. Nearly all civilian GNSS signals can be generated through its single RF output (one frequency band at a time), along with GPS AES M-Code, jamming or spoofing signals. BroadSim Solo’s compact form factor is designed to do away with bulk, fitting nicely at a typical desk or workstation without taking it over. But it’s more than just convenience – the Solo addresses the permanent challenge that engineers face with laboratory capacity and availability. “Creating complex test scenarios can be a tedious process, especially when emulating challenged environments,” said Tim Erbes, director of engineering for Orolia Defense & Security. “Having the ability to create scripts at your desk significantly frees up lab time and space for running these important simulations. Also, scenario creation is no longer limited to one person fixed to one system. Imagine a team of engineers, each with a BroadSim Solo, simultaneously building tests. Having a whole fleet of BroadSim Solos? It’s game-changing.” BroadSim Solo with the Skydel Simulation Engine offers an intuitive user interface, comprehensive API (supporting Python, C++ and C#), automation tools and custom plug-ins that will speed up development cycles, increase performance and ultimately drive innovation. What’s even better is the BroadSim Solo’s remarkably affordable price-point. “In an effort to enhance the customer experience and expand the reach of advanced GNSS simulators, we wanted to offer an affordable solution with all of the same core features as our most advanced BroadSim systems,” said Tyler Hohman, director of products for Orolia Defense & Security. “This gives our customers the opportunity to place more simulators in the hands of engineers and scientists without sacrificing capabilities. Our hope is that customers will find value in having a simulation ecosystem that is scalable based on their requirements.” Harness the power of BroadSim Solo’s efficiency and affordability. For more information, visit www.oroliads.com/broadsim-solo . About Orolia Defense & Security Orolia Defense & Security provides Resilient PNT solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, defense organizations and their contractors. Orolia Defense & Security is authorized to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects, in addition to supporting strategic partnerships for key defense PNT technologies. www.OroliaDS.com Orolia Defense & Security operates as a proxy-regulated company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Orolia. Contact: Rachael Smith 614-736-3736 rachael.smith@oroliaDS.com VIEW PDF

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