GNSS Signal Processing Using Frequency Domain Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite positioning systems face challenges in efficiently processing GNSS signals due to interference, which requires significant digital resources for filtering and conversion, leading to resource overconsumption, especially in limited FPGA components.

Innovation Solution

The process involves converting the GNSS signal to the frequency domain using a Fourier transform, treating interferential components, filtering using a Bande-Bande filter, transposing in frequency, and then converting back to the time domain, all while reducing the computational resources needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional time-domain filtering and baseband conversion methods are used, then interference suppression is achieved, but digital resource consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference suppressionVSAvoiddigital resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from time-domain processing to frequency-domain processing by applying Fourier transforms. This dimensional change allows interference filtering to be performed more efficiently in the frequency domain, where selective attenuation of interfering frequency components can be achieved with fewer computational resources than time-domain FIR filters requiring 64 or more coefficients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the domain parameter from time to frequency, enabling the use of frequency-selective filtering. By transforming the signal to the frequency domain, the system can target and attenuate specific interfering frequency components more efficiently, reducing the overall computational burden compared to broadband time-domain filtering approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multi-coefficient FIR filters are used for interference filtering, then filtering performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference filtering performanceVSAvoidfilter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves filtering operations from the time domain to the frequency domain using Fourier transforms. In the frequency domain, filtering is achieved by simple multiplication with a frequency response function, which is computationally simpler than convolving with long FIR filter coefficients in the time domain, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining filtering performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If frequency transposition is performed in the time domain, then baseband conversion is achieved, but computing resources are significantly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaseband conversionVSAvoidcomputing resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs frequency transposition and baseband conversion in the frequency domain rather than the time domain. By applying Fourier transforms, the system can efficiently shift frequency components and perform baseband conversion through simple frequency offset operations in the spectral domain, which requires fewer computational resources than time-domain mixing and filtering operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies digital operations, improves signal processing performance, and reduces the consumption of digital resources, allowing for more efficient use of FPGA components and enabling additional functions without resizing existing FPGAs.

Implementation Method 1

conversion of the radionavigation signal in the frequency domain by means of a Fourier transform so as to obtain a frequency radionavigation signal comprising several frequency components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFourier transform:

Implementation Method 2

filtering of the digital frequency signal thus processed by means of a band-stop filter to obtain a filtered frequency radionavigation signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Implementation Method 3

conversion of the baseband frequency radionavigation signal by means of an inverse Fourier transform in order to obtain a time baseband radionavigation signal in which interference has been attenuated/suppressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInverse Fourier transform:

Data Source

PatentEP3971616B1Method for processing a radio-navigation signal from at least one satellite
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)
  • EP3971616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3971616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3971616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for processing a radionavigation signal from at least one satellite, said method comprising the following steps implemented in a processing unit (2) of a radionavigation receiver (1): - conversion (102) of the radionavigation signal in the frequency domain by means of a Fourier transform so as to obtain a frequency radionavigation signal comprising several frequency components; - processing (103) of the frequency radionavigation signal so as to process at least one frequency component called the interfering component, said component thus processed having been either attenuated or canceled; - filtering (104) of the digital frequency signal thus processed by means of a band-stop filter to obtain a filtered frequency radionavigation signal;- frequency transposition (105) of the filtered frequency radionavigation signal in order to obtain a baseband frequency radionavigation signal; - conversion (106) of the baseband frequency radionavigation signal by means of an inverse Fourier transform in order to obtain a time baseband radionavigation signal in which interference has been attenuated/suppressed.