In conventional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers, tracking is performed in several independent tracking loops that provide measurements (pseudo ranges, pseudo range rates, carrier Doppler) to a navigation algorithm (Kalman filter), controlling the Position, Velocity, Time (PVT) solution. In Vector Tracking Loop (VTL) , the two tasks of signal tracking and PVT estimations are combined; however, VTL architectures are sensitive to channel contamination and data incest.  It is therefore required to combine the benefits of VTL with other sensors.

To tackle these challenging problems, the VTL4AV project will design and develop a Software Defined Receiver (SDR) proof-of-concept, implementing a VTL robust architecture including deep coupling with external sensors.  It will also create a fault detection and isolation strategy to ensure integrity in urban environments, whilst supporting multi-GNSS constellations.  The benefits of this robust architecture will be demonstrated in both simulated environments (for satellite failure, multipath, attenuation, etc) and in real environment such as the City of London where urban canyons, masking, interference and multipath can be expected.