The Institute of Communication and Navigation operates a verification facility for satellite signals, with which the signals from navigation satellites (e.g. Galileo, GPS, GLONASS, COMPASS) can be received and analysed with the highest accuracy. The facility is based on the 30m high-gain antenna at the DLR site in Weilheim, which was equipped with new instruments by the Institute. The system offers the possibility of online calibration, which is essential for precise signal evaluation.
The signals received with a newly developed circularly polarised feed first pass through a low-noise amplifier and filter to suppress out-of-band interference. The signals are then recorded by a vector signal analyser, stored in a data backup unit and made available for signal processing. The facility can be remotely controlled from Oberpfaffenhofen.
Based on the analysed measurement data, anomalies of the satellite signals compared to the published specifications can be detected, causal effects can be worked out, their effects on navigation services can be estimated and, if necessary, countermeasures can be worked out.
Image: Enno Kapitza for DLR
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