The new navigation system for use onboard satellites focuses on the use of additional L2C (L2 Civilian) and L5 frequencies for navigation, greatly expanding potential GPS use. The receivers involved will utilize a high degree of miniaturization. Since most receivers are single frequency, current L1 use is quite high. This development aims to make multi-frequency receivers available for both Geo-Stationary and Low-Earth Orbit satellites.
The consequences of this development will make important contributions to a wide variety of applications, anything from altimeters and scatterometers (devices used to measure surface parameters) to launchers and Earth observation. It should also eventually allow satellites to self-determine their position using GNSS, reducing dependence on ground-based stations.
With a significant level of funding, France and Austria are contributing substantially to the project via the ESA ARTES-5 programme. Two companies obtained parallel contracts; Alcatel of France is working together with its Norwegian and Swiss subsidiaries while Austrian Aerospace's key subcontractor is the Swiss based Nemerix.
Though parallel and with the same ultimate objectives, the approaches of the two companies are quite different. Alcatel is using their L1 Topstar 3000 receiver and adapting its baseband processing and radio frequency front-end. The L5 study phase incorporates both existing and new technology, an approach with far-reaching technological benefits. Alcatel is also making full use of their expertise in DC/DC converter miniaturisation.
The Austrian system incorporates entirely new components and can be integrated in a flexible way. Not based on any current receiver and built from scratch, it will incorporate a three frequencies front-end and utilize a baseband processor from another ESA related activity. Austrian Aerospace is also developing modular software hoping to make their system more easily adaptable to different missions.
The first phase was comprised of a review of: existing applications and technologies, especially important for a more cost-effective introduction of the L2C asnd L5 frequencies; a definition of requirements for each receiver in order to derive the specifications; architectural design and definition of the test plan which will lay the ground work for the next phase. Both companies expect to complete this work before the summer.
