Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in Aerospace Engineering
Introduction to GNSS
• GPS (USA)
• GLONASS (Russia)
• Galileo (EU)
• BeiDou (China)
History of GPS
• Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (1973)
• Fully operational by 1995
• Civilian use opened in 1983 (after KAL‐007 incident)
• Modernization (GPS III satellites)
How GNSS Works – Basic Principles
• Triangulation via satellite signals
• Minimum 4 satellites for 3D position + time
• Signal structure (L1, L2, L5 frequencies)
• Pseudorange and carrier phase measurements
GNSS Segments
[Link] Segment (Satellites in MEO ~20,200 km altitude)
[Link] Segment (Ground stations for monitoring)
[Link] Segment (Receivers in aircraft, drones, etc.)
GPS Signal Structure
• Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
• Civilian (C/A) vs Military (P/Y) codes
• Modern signals (L2C, L5 for aviation)
GNSS Error Sources
• Ionospheric & Tropospheric Delays
• Multipath Errors
• Satellite Clock & Ephemeris Errors
• Receiver Noise
Differential GNSS (DGNSS) & Augmentation
Systems
• Real‐Time Kinematic (RTK)
• SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, GAGAN) – Improves accuracy for aviation
• GBAS (Ground‐Based Augmentation) – Used in precision landing
GNSS in Aerospace Applications
• Aircraft Navigation (RNAV, RNP)
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Spacecraft Navigation (LEO & GEO satellites)
• Precision Landing Systems (ILS alternative)
Advanced GNSS Techniques
• Precise Point Positioning (PPP)
• GNSS‐INS Integration (Inertial Navigation aiding)
• Anti‐Jamming & Spoofing Detection
GNSS Challenges in Aerospace
• Signal Blockage (Urban canyons, aircraft maneuvers)
• High‐Dynamics Tracking (Hypersonic vehicles)
• Interference & Cybersecurity Risks
Future of GNSS
• Next‐Gen GPS III & Galileo Evolution
• Multi‐Constellation Receivers
• Autonomous Navigation (AI + GNSS)
• Lunar & Deep‐Space GNSS Concepts
Case Study – GNSS in Drone Navigation
• Use of RTK for cm‐level accuracy
• Challenges in urban environments
• FAA regulations on GNSS‐dependent UAVs
Summary & Key Takeaways
• GNSS is critical for aerospace positioning, navigation, and timing
(PNT)
• Multiple error sources require augmentation/INS integration
• Future trends: Higher accuracy, anti‐jamming, space‐based PNT