Evaluation of the Effect of Radio Frequency Interference on Global Positioning System (GPS) Accuracy via GPS Simulation

Dinesh Sathyamoorthy; M. Mohd Faudzi; M.A. Zainal Fitry

doi:10.14429/dsj.62.1606

Dinesh Sathyamoorthy Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia
M. Mohd Faudzi Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia
M.A. Zainal Fitry Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.1606

Keywords: Global positioning system, GPS simulation, radio frequency interference, carrier-to-noise density

Abstract

In this study, Global positioning system (GPS) simulation is employed to study the effect of radio frequency interference (RFI) on the accuracy of two handheld GPS receivers; Garmin GPSmap 60CSx (evaluated GPS receiver) and Garmin GPSmap 60CS (reference GPS receiver). Both GPS receivers employ the GPS L1 coarse acquisition (C/A) signal. It was found that with increasing interference signal power level, probable error values of the GPS receivers increase due to decreasing carrier-to-noise density (C/N0) levels for GPS satellites tracked by the receivers. Varying probable error patterns are observed for readings taken at different locations and times. This was due to the GPS satellite constellation being dynamic, causing varying GPS satellite geometry over location and time, resulting in GPS accuracy being location/time dependent. In general, the highest probable error values were observed for readings with the highest position dilution of precision (PDOP) values, and vice versa.

Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(5), pp.338-347, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.1606

Author Biographies

Dinesh Sathyamoorthy, Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia

Mr Dinesh Sathyamoorthy received the BE (Comp. Engg.) and MESc (Comp. Engg.) from Multimedia University, Malaysia, in 2003 and 2006, respectively. He is pursuing his PhD (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) from Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia. Currently working as a Research Officer in the Science and Technology Research Institute of Defence (STRIDE), Ministry of Defence, Malaysia. His research interests include: Digital terrain modelling and digital image processing.

M. Mohd Faudzi, Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia

Mr Mohd Faudzi Muhammad received BE (Electrical Engineering) from University of Malaya, Malaysia, in 1994 and MSc from the National University of Malaysia, Malaysia, in 2005. Presently working as Head of Radar Branch, STRIDE, Ministry of Defence, Malaysia. His research interests include: Digital signal processing and neural networks.

M.A. Zainal Fitry, Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence, Malaysia

Mr Zainal Fitry M. Amin received the Certificate in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Ungku Omar Polytechnic, Malaysia. Currently working as a Senior Technician in the Radar Branch, STRIDE, Ministry of Defence, Malaysia. He has worked in a wide range of fields including: Electronics, communications, power systems, thermography, night vision systems, satellite navigation, and radar technologies.

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