The Witch Navigator - A Low Cost GNSS Software Receiver for Advanced Processing Techniques

Abstract

The developement of advanced GNSS signal processing algorithms such as multi-constellation, multi-frequency and multi-antenna navigation requires an easily reprogrammable software defined radio solution. Various receiver architectures for this purpose have been introduced. RF front-end with FPGA universal correlators on ExpressCard connected directly to PC was selected and manufactured. Such a~unique hardware combination provides the GNSS researchers and engineers with a~great convenience of writing the signal processing algorithms including tracking, acquisition and positioning in the Linux application programming interface and enables them to reconfigure the RF front-end easily by the PC program. With more of these ExpressCards connected to the PC, the number of the RF channels, correlators or antennas can be increased to further boost the computational power. This paper reveals the implementation aspects of the receiver, named the Witch Navigator, and~gives the key test results.