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Gps Spread Spectrum

The GPS signal uses a spread spectrum carrier that allows for precise carrier phase measurements. It operates by rapidly hopping between frequencies in a predetermined pattern, so only receivers following the same pattern can decode the information. The carrier is modulated using direct sequence spread spectrum, continuously changing frequency according to a pseudorandom noise code. This makes the signal appear as noise, but once a receiver synchronizes to the code pattern, the navigation message is clear. Carrier phase can then be measured to provide highly accurate position data.

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147 views

Gps Spread Spectrum

The GPS signal uses a spread spectrum carrier that allows for precise carrier phase measurements. It operates by rapidly hopping between frequencies in a predetermined pattern, so only receivers following the same pattern can decode the information. The carrier is modulated using direct sequence spread spectrum, continuously changing frequency according to a pseudorandom noise code. This makes the signal appear as noise, but once a receiver synchronizes to the code pattern, the navigation message is clear. Carrier phase can then be measured to provide highly accurate position data.

Uploaded by

AnandVichianrath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Simplified Tutorial describing the GPS signal and how phase measurements are

made on the spread spectrum carrier.


This response was given by one of our GPS Engineering Specialists in answer to the
following question:
>Question:
Some people suggest that the GPS signal does not have a carrier. Can you describe
for us how the GPS carrier operates and give us some insight into how carrier phase
measurements are made in a GPS receiver?

>Answer follows:
Yes, the GPS signal has a carrier. It is a spread spectrum carrier, but it provides the
features of a carrier and can be used to make carrier phase measurements for
additional GPS accuracy or other purposes. The easiest version to understand the
concept is probably the frequency hopping scheme. Oversimplified, what happens is
that the carrier and the signal information it carries "hops" from one frequency to
another in some pre scheduled pattern. If your receiver hops from one frequency to
another in the same pattern, the information comes out of the signal clearly. If you
are off the pattern, it sounds like noise. The hop rate is very fast, but the idea would
be that you transmit on channel 1 for 2 seconds, then channel 5 for 1 second, then
channel 3 for 4 seconds, and so on. Anyone switching channels at the wrong rate or
in the wrong order will get garbled information.

The switching rate is what is called the chip rate, and actually in the MHz range. In
direct sequence SS, the frequency change of the carrier is continuous rather than
discrete steps. That is, instead of jumping from channel 1 to channel 5, you do a
continuous change (like turning the dial on the old analog, non crystal transmitters).
If you will recall phase modulation, which looks a lot like frequency modulation, you
will remember that the signal modulating the carrier does so by shifting the phase.
Direct sequence basically does this, but the first stage of signal is the PRN code.
The information (nav message) is multiplexed onto this. I'm sure you are very
familiar with how commercial FM with its stereo and SCA (and pager and stock
market data) signals are multiplexed onto the carrier and subcarriers. It is much the
same thing with direct sequence, except the first step from the main carrier is the
PRN code. The result is that the signal sounds like noise. Once you synchronize,
then the nav message comes through in the clear. To give a simplified idea how the
demodulation works, think about how SSB works. You generate a local signal with
your local oscillator, which beats against the incoming signal. In regular AM, SSB,
FM, CW, this LO frequency is fixed. Now for spread spectrum, have your LO vary its
frequency according to the pseudorandom noise code. You can't really do this fast
enough with an analog LO, so use a digital signal processing chip instead (DSP). In
fact you can sample the signal fast enough that you can do all of the different code
patterns with various time delays until you match. In a single channel GPS receiver,

you pick one PRN code and try various time delays and doppler shifts until you
match or give up and pick the next one. Once matched, you can keep synch on all
the SVs.

End of answer on GPS Carrier Demodulation discussion.

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