Radio-Frequency Signal Augmentation to Reduce PNT Jamming and Spoofing Risks
GNSS is vulnerable to jamming because the power of GNSS signals received near the Earth’s surface is extremely weak, as low as a tenth of a millionth of a billionth of a Watt. Higher power signals from Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites intended for communication can be used as an opportunistic means of navigation, but only with significant risks because the LEO service providers have no commitment to navigation users. In contrast, recently-modernized and emerging dedicated LEO constellations can provide positioning navigation and timing (PNT) with quantifiable performance. In particular, CARNATIONS industrial partners Satelles, Inc. and Xona Space Systems, two PNT LEO satellite constellation operators, provide signals that are secure, powerful, reliable, and independent of GNSS. This project aims at (1) designing LEO satellite-based resilient PNT (R-PNT) algorithms and (2) evaluating them for transportation applications. (1) The research team proposes to develop new methods to combine LEO and GNSS satellite signals. Navigation continuity is maximized when signals are tightly integrated as early as possible in the navigation system’s processing pipeline. However, preserving the independence of data sources is key to detecting insidious spoofing threats by checking for inconsistencies between individual pieces of information. Loosely-coupled implementations can be more integrity-efficient than tightly-coupled ones for GNSS fault detection and exclusion (FDE) in transportation applications. The proposed research aims at deriving optimal LEO/GNSS algorithms that maximize integrity while maintaining continuity. These algorithms depend on robust models of satellite signal uncertainty that the research team will also establish. (2) The research team proposes to evaluate the integrity performance of optimal LEO-GNSS PNT algorithms in specific transportation operations, including port and connected vehicle operations. LEO satellites are more powerful, but their scope of application, for example in high-multipath environments between truck trailers and containers, has yet to be determined. The research team will evaluate the LEO-based PNT coverage in multi-layered maps. These maps will display suggested routes with maximal PNT integrity, will account for building signal obstructions, and will dynamically change with LEO satellite motion. US DOT Priorities: This research project directly targets the US DOT’s research priority area of Reducing Transportation Cybersecurity Risks. GNSS augmentation using other radio-frequency PNT solutions can help ensure resilience to jamming and spoofing attacks. The research team will be investigating LEO/GNSS integration methods and will be quantifying their integrity and continuity to establish multi-layered R-PNT performance maps for multi-modal surface transportation applications. The research team will develop the tools and methods to rigorously quantify LEO-based PNT performance. Transferring cutting-edge LEO-based PNT technology into practice for transportation modernization requires mediation between the US DOT and industry agents. The team will leverage their experience acting as neutral mediators in this research program.
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $Federal $103,000, Cost-share $51,500
-
Contract Numbers:
Illinois Institute of Technology/69A3552348324
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Center for Assured and Resilient Navigation in Advanced Transportation Systems
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL United States 60616 -
Project Managers:
Narang, Aashish
-
Performing Organizations:
Center for Assured and Resilient Navigation in Advanced Transportation Systems
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL United States 60616 -
Principal Investigators:
Joerger, Mathieu
Psiaki, Mark
- Start Date: 20231001
- Expected Completion Date: 20240930
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
- Subprogram: University Transportation Centers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Computer security; Navigation; Radio frequency; Satellite navigation systems; Signals
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General);
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01906659
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Center for Assured and Resilient Navigation in Advanced Transportation Systems
- Contract Numbers: Illinois Institute of Technology/69A3552348324
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Jan 31 2024 3:07PM