090 - Robust Navigation for Autonomous Driving with Low-Cost/SWaP Arrays of Antennas

The derivation of robust positioning solutions under harsh propagation conditions typical of autonomous driving applications remains an open problem in GNSS. The application of Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO)-GNSS-like processing approaches for robust GNSS positioning with low-cost arrays of antenna platforms has shown important benefits in the presence of obstruction, fading and multipath conditions, and can be exploited as well for the mitigation of interference and jamming. The introduction of a larger number of antenna elements, even if low-cost, allows to improve the PNT solution. In this context, the signals received from array antenna configurations are proposed to be exploited in the position domain (via Direct Position Estimation), including the exploitation of undesired spatially-correlated signal contributions from different elements, and received from different satellites. This is to be done exploiting low-cost arrays of antennas in vehicular applications and targeting low-Size Weight and Power (SWaP) processing platforms. 

The objective of the activity is to study, design, implement and demonstrate the achievement of robust positioning solutions for autonomous driving with low-cost arrays of antennas in low-SWaP platforms, via the exploitation in the position domain (via Direct Position Estimation) of undesired spatially-correlated signal contributions from different elements, and received from different satellites. 

The tasks to be performed shall include: 

• Study, design, implement and demonstrate robust positioning solutions for autonomous driving based on the exploitation in the position domain of spatially-correlated signal contributions from different elements, and received from different satellites, with low-cost arrays of antennas in low-SWaP platforms. 
• Asses the benefits in different vehicular user environments and dynamics for different array configurations (from few elements to above 10 elements) based on test campaigns with real measurements. A car manufacturer should be included in the consortium to discuss and facilitate adoption of the solution. 

The main outputs of the activity will consist of: 

• Innovative solutions in the position domain exploiting undesired spatially-correlated signal contributions.
• Breadboard and test report 
• Roadmap for commercialization, including potential NAVISP EL2 activities.