ADG Innovation Lab: Advancing Testing Capabilities for Multichannel Satellite Navigation Systems

Last Updated: 20/06/2024 08:57     Created at: 20/06/2024 08:52

Final Presentation of NAVISP Project EL3-027 now available:

On Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, the National instruments Hungary Kft. (now part of Emerson)  presented "ADG Innovation Lab (ADGIL)". 

In response to the evolving technology trends in multichannel systems for satellite navigation, communications, and radar, including jamming and spoofing, advanced Test & Measurement technology is required to support the system life cycle from prototyping, design, and production to usage.

In this context, NAVISP EL3 has supported the development of the Open Innovation Lab located in Debrecen, Hungary, within the manufacturing site of NI (now part of Emerson). The purpose of this lab is to enhance cooperation between the industry and academia by addressing testing needs in the application area of multichannel systems for satellite navigation.

The Open Innovation Lab boasts several capabilities, i.e. a Wideband Multichannel Transceiver consisting of 4 parallel PXIe-5841 that can be operated in phase coherent mode or as independent channels each of them featuring unprecedent large input/output bandwidth, along with various application software such as Record & Playback, M3 Systems StellaNGC, NI ESAC reference architecture, and Satellite Link Emulator. Development tools like LabVIEW and Diadem are also available.

Using these tools, the lab is capable of emulating and assessing CRPA and multi-channel antennas, validating algorithms, and testing multi-channel receivers through GNSS simulation, record, and playback. Two test campaigns have already been conducted with ESA to validate the system's capabilities. One of these campaigns involved the use of the Wideband Multichannel Transceiver to validate GNSS Jamming Mitigation techniques using a 4-element phase array antenna. More specifically, this test campaign covered 4 Test cases:

• In Test 1: RF Ports Phase Stability, a simulator emulating GNSS satellites was used with two array antennas (rectangular and Y-shaped). IQ samples from four RF ports were collected using the ADGIL system to assess phase stability.
• Test 2: Interference Mitigation Capability tested the system's ability to reduce or eliminate interference.
• Test 3: Live Signal Beamforming Capability focused on the system's proficiency in forming beams with live GNSS signals.
• Test 4: Playback Capability evaluated the ability to playback recorded signals, enabling advanced signal processing such as array antenna and dual polarization processing, as well as jamming and spoofing testing. With a simultaneous 500 MHz bandwidth across four RF channels, the system supported new technologies like phase-based ranging with GNSS signals.

Overall, the campaign demonstrated the system's high performance and versatility. The test campaigns serve as demonstrations of the possibilities achievable through the lab's capabilities. Moving forward, the lab is open to a diverse range of users. This includes European companies and universities, with a priority given to those in the space, and aeronautics sectors, particularly with projects at low TRL. T Additionally, European companies and universities partnering with NI (now part of Emerson) in projects funded by any EU program are encouraged to utilize the lab's resources. Hackathons and GNSS Training Academies are also welcome. To submit a proposal, interested parties can send a request along with an abstract of the project to NIH_OIL_Manager@ni.com

 The project was part of NAVISP Element 3, aiming to support national PNT strategies by providing support per country and possibly per domain for the development and promotion of products, applications and services based on PNT systems to foster national and international cooperation.

The slides are accessible here. More details on the test campaign can be accessed here.