Design and Applications of a Generalized Software-Based GNSS IF Signal Generator

In this paper, design and applications of a generalized, versatile and customizable IF signal generator that can model the modernized GPS and Galileo signal is given. It generates IF sampled data that can be directly used by a software receiver. Entire constellation of satellites which is independent of satellite-user geometry is easily determined using a real or simulated ephemeris data. Since the IF center frequency, sampling frequency and quantization bit number are user location dependent parameters, their effects are also considered in IF signal generator. The generalized IF signal generator will be very well suited for the development phase of a software receiver due to its versatility. The full access to the sampling frequency, front-end filter definition and ADC parameters also offers a great opportunity for cost-effective analysis of tracking loops and error mitigation techniques at the receiver level. Interference sources can be easily added to the generator to simulate specific environments. This software IF signal generator can also be used to feed a multi-frequency multi-system software receiver for the prototyping of a combined GPS/Galileo receiver. The test result using the generated signals and a real software receiver shows the effectiveness of the implemented IF signal generator.