Global navigation satellite systems have been improving over the years. That has covered the strength of the relayed signal and the accuracy of reception of these signals. But, that does not mean that all signals will behave in the same manner when passing through different environments.
Different media offer varying resistance to satellite signals. And, it is on these grounds that GNSS products manufacturers run monitored simulator programs to determine the best design of satellite systems that will perform optimally in different conditions.
In instances where the GNSS has to offer both regional and global satellite coverage, the satellite navigation system will require advanced test equipment to optimize their performance. These navigation systems include GLONASS, Galileo, GPS, and Beidou.
And, with these, you will require using specialized antennas to protect the GNSS receivers from jamming and interference. One of the most common of these antennas is the CRPAs (pron. “serpers”). The satellite industry also refers to these specialized antennas as adaptive, null-steering and beamforming antennas.
CRPAs as anti-jamming devices
For a long time, warring nations kept developing high-power jamming technology to alter the reception of their adversaries’ radar systems. This jamming technology kept advancing, though.
And that was at such a high rate that even the latter GPS systems that the U.S. DoD developed were still vulnerable to interference. It, thus, paved the way for further research into anti-jamming technologies to use with GNSS systems, from which there came the CRPA.
With CRPAs, GPS/ could still operate even when the jamming devices are on. CRPAs can now accommodate more channels depending on the number or simultaneous jammers that the GPS/GNSS system should defeat.
However, GNSS satellite manufacturers are still working to improve the technology on which CRPAs work to improve their efficiency as anti-jamming devices.
How CRPAs work
CRPAs do not require that you alter any setting on the GPS. The only change you will do is replacing the GPS antenna with the CRPA. Ensure that you position the GPS firmly to support the weight and accommodate the size of the CRPA since its larger than the GPS’ antenna.
This increased size is to contain the different associated electronics and elements for the anti-jamming service. GNSS product developers can use simulator programs to determine the anti-jamming performance of the CRPAs that they are developing.
Ideally, they utilize spatial diversity to model spatial filters to filter out jamming signals from the satellite signals. Once they ascertain that, manufacturers can create batch CRPAs to use in varying environments for GNSS systems.
Modern CRPAs come with a complex architecture that allows high jamming cancellation. These can also cover wider ranges of jamming threats that your GNSS system could be facing. Therefore, whenever you are buying your CRPAs confirm from the supplier that you are getting the latest in the market.
Also, confirm that they come with a manual showing the GNSS technology with which the CRPA is compatible. It is best, too, that your GNSS systems support backward compatibility. That way, you can use future advanced CRPAs in your GPS/GNSS system without the risk of signal attenuation.
