QA707 Real Time SDR Simulator

GSTP: Make Project: QA707 Real Time SDR Simulator

Company	Country	Website
QASCOM	Italy	http://www.qascom.com

QA707 is a real time GNSS multi-constellation simulator, with advanced capabilities in terms of interference simulation. The main features of the simulator are: simulation of GPS L1, GALILEO E1 and GLONASS G1 open services, GALILEO E6 and EGNOS L1; configurable channel models; configurable jamming and configurable spoofing. The simulator is fully implemented in software, supporting the generation at RF by means of RF upconverters. In particular, QA707 natively supports several SDR platforms (e.g. USRP); additionally it provides APIs for further expandability.

Objectives

The objective of the project is the development of a SDR (Software Design Radio) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) simulator. Specifically, two specific features are targeted:

• The simulation of advanced interference
• The target cost, aimed to compete in the low/medium end market.

 

QA707 is designed to offer a competitive alternative to current GNSS simulations, especially devoted to the assessment of the effects of the interference. Both jamming and spoofing are available as features. Jamming is designed to simulate intentional and non-intentional jamming signals spanning from continuous wave and frequency modulation (i.e. car jammers) to more complex wide band and frequency hopping modulations (i.e. radars, DVB). Concerning spoofing, the simulator provides the capability to alter the authentic signals for data manipulation, range and Doppler modification and also trajectory falsification.

Features

QA707 is a real time GNSS multi-constellation simulator, with advanced capabilities in terms of interference simulation. The main features are:

• Simulation of GPS L1, GALILEO E1 and GLONASS G1 open services, GALILEO E6 and EGNOS L1;
• Configurable channel models;
• Configurable jamming and configurable spoofing. Interference spans from super-versatile jamming to consistent/non-consistent spoofing, supporting both spoofing and spoofer trajectory.

The simulator is fully implemented in software, supporting the generation at RF by means of RF upconverters. QA707 natively supports several SDR platforms (e.g. USRP); additionally it provides APIs for further expandability.

QA707 is a software that run in a PCs with Windows Operating Systems, connected to the RF devices. The RF devices are not mandatory if the simulated signal is stored in a binary file. The overall architecture is reported below.

Project Plan

The projects spans a period of 18 months, scheduled as  follows:

• 3 months for the definition of the requirements
• 3 months for the consolidation of the design
• 10 months for the development
• 4 months for the testing activities
• And 5 months of exploitation.

The development work package is split into two sub packages. The development of the first prototype is coved by the first part of the development, including the nominal constellations and the jamming simulation. The second part of the development includes the finalization of the software with the implementation of the spoofing and the consolidation of the hardware communication.

Key issues

The project addresses three main issues:

• The real time simulation of a complex GNSS scenario, using only software defined radio.
• The simulation of jamming signals
• The simulation of spoofing signals

The simulator is also designed to support the development and testing of authentication techniques applied to GALILEO, for example the navigation message authentication.

Expected Main Benefits

QA707 is a fully software GNSS simulator, that can run in normal PCs. For this reason, QA707 is a valid alternative to other GNSS simulators for different applications, competing for functionalities and cost. It is particularly suitable to these interference, considering the number of functionalities provided for interference scenarios.

Current Status

The project officially started the 24^th of November, 2016.

At the current time, the requirements definition has been concluded and the design of the software has been consolidated. The Critical Design Review (CDR) has been successfully closed at the beginning of July 2017.

The project is now in the development phase. Specifically, the development of the graphical user interface is proceeding fast after an intense period of study to define the best approach. In the same time, the development of the core is in progress, autonomously. At the current stage, the Jamming simulator is completed, as well as the streaming function to the USRP; the GNSS signal simulator is in progress.

Contact

Project Manager:	Andrea Dalla Chiara	andrea.dallachiara@qascom.it
	Via O. Marinali 87 31061, Bassano del Grappa (VI) Italy	QASCOM S.r.l.
	Tel: +39 0424 525473	Fax: +39 0424 230596
Additional Contact:	Alessandro Pozzobon	alessandro.pozzobon@qascom.it
	Via O. Marinali 87 31061, Bassano del Grappa (VI) Italy	QASCOM S.r.l.
	Tel:+39 0424 525473	Fax: +39 0424 230596
ESA Technical Officer:	Olivier Smeyers