Space weather hazards: Monitoring and mitigation for GNSS

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Satellite-based navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) operate in the UHF range, which is typically between 1.1 and 1.6 GHz. These L-band signals are susceptible to ionospheric refraction and rapid random phase and amplitude variations due to ionospheric scintillations at Canadian latitudes. Large positioning errors are associated with high levels of ionospheric activity in this region, and losses of signal availability have been observed during scintillation events, with compromised integrity and reliability of safety-critical navigation systems (e.g. marine navigation or commercial aviation). Additional GPS signals and a new global navigation satellite system (GNSS), Galileo, will become available in the next several years, and a solar cycle peak is expected mid-2010. GPS/GNSS applications are a multi-billion dollar industry, and a need exists to develop space weather warnings and alerts for GNSS applications in Canada. In the research proposed here, space weather hazards for GNSS will be characterized and the impact quantified for various navigation applications. Algorithms will be developed to monitor space weather effects of significance, including scintillations, in real-time. Through partnership with the Geological Survey of Canada, this technology will be transferred for practical implementation in an operational service. By partnering with industry and using a state-of-the-art GNSS software receiver, the effects of ionospheric scintillation will be investigated and mitigated. Robust receiver tracking loops will be developed for improved availability and reliability of GNSS observations. Overall, it is intended that navigation integrity will be improved for satellite-based navigation systems in Canada.