Terrestrial and Satellite Radiolocation

Learning goals

The objectives of the course are to provide the main methodologies and techniques for signal processing for radio wave localisation, to introduce the operating principles of modern terrestrial and satellite radio location systems, as well as the different channel and interference phenomena. A further aim is to analyse, implement, and simulate some fundamental techniques using the MATLAB® development environment.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Students must demonstrate knowledge of the main types and operating modes of radio wave-based location and positioning systems; they must have a command of the main methods and algorithms for extracting information related to the user’s position from the radio signal coming from specific transmitters, using measurements of arrival times, arrival angles, and received signal strength. They must demonstrate knowledge of the architecture, operation, and limitations of modern terrestrial and satellite radio location systems.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Students must demonstrate their ability to evaluate and select the most suitable type of system, terrestrial, satellite, or hybrid, for a specific localisation problem, defining its fundamental parameters, such as number of transmitters, time synchronisation level, and type of receiver, based on performance requirements and the operating context. They must also be able to identify the most appropriate localisation technique, for example TOA, TDOA, and related methods, and select the optimal estimation algorithm, for example LS and NLS, according to the operational specifications and critical issues of the scenario. Students must also demonstrate the ability to recognise the main issues that affect radio location processes, such as propagation effects, atmospheric conditions, noise, and interference. They must also demonstrate competence in choosing the most suitable signal processing schemes for extracting location information in the presence of such detrimental phenomena.

Course content/syllabus

Taxonomy and basic principles of radio location systems. Main parameters for radio location and related estimation methods. Passive radio location: location strategies based on angles of arrival, arrival times, difference or sum of arrival times, power of received signals; hybrid systems; applications to cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Implementation and analysis of some estimation techniques in MATLAB® environment. Satellite radiolocation: operating principles and architectures of GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO); characteristics of transmitted signals; receiver architecture and signal processing techniques for positioning; multi-constellation systems. Application of radio navigation to air and maritime transport safety: operating principles of the secondary surveillance radar system for air traffic control and the automatic identification system for maritime tracking.

Readings/bibliography

Textbooks:

• S. A. (Reza) Zekavat and R. Michael Buehrer, Handbook of Position Location: Theory, Practice, and Advances, 2nd ed., Wiley-IEEE Press, 2019.
• P. Misra and P. Enge, Global Positioning System: Signals, Measurements, and Performance, 2nd ed., Ganga-Jamuna Press, 2011.
• M. Nolan, Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control, 5th ed., Cengage Brain, 2011.

Other:

• Slides of the course, distributed annually.

Teaching methods of the course

Teaching is delivered entirely through lectures, which include theory, exercises in MATLAB®, and exercises using Software Defined Radio (SDR) devices for the acquisition and analysis of signals for radio location.