GNSS 2x2 antenna array with beamforming for multipath detection

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are subject to multipath or jamming and spoofing attacks. Although there are many proposed solutions, not all of them are tested practically. In this paper, we present experimental evaluation of 2x2 antenna array configuration with beamforming driven by software-defined radio (SDR) for multipath mitigation. The proposed system performs spatial filtering of multipath coming from other directions than the direct satellite signals. For satellite direction estimation satellite ephemeris data is used. Several scenarios with different degree of multipath are studied. The use of beamforming increases receiver's carrier-to-noise ratio up to about 8 dB and allows visibility of more GNSS satellites. Assembled from the low cost equipment such GNSS receiver could be used in many practical applications such as Internet of things devices or unmanned aerial vehicles. (c) 2022 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of a 2x2 antenna array configuration with beamforming driven by software-defined radio (SDR) for multipath mitigation. The proposed system filters out multipath signals from directions other than the direct satellite signals, increasing the receiver's carrier-to-noise ratio by up to 8 dB and allowing visibility of more GNSS satellites. This research is important for practical applications of low-cost GNSS receivers, especially in Internet of Things devices or unmanned aerial vehicles.