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Graduate Exam Abstract


Dongyang Xu

Ph.D. Preliminary
October 10, 2016, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Mechanical Engineering Conference Room
VECTOR TRACKING FOR GNSS SIGNALS UNDER EQUATORIAL IONOSPHERIC SCINTILLATION: ANALYSIS, MODELING, AND OPTIMIZATION

Abstract: The increasing dependency on GNSS signals in various applications naturally brings forth the need to improve its robustness when operating in challenging signal scenarios of different kinds. As one of such advanced architectures, vector tracking loop (VTL) has attracted much attention over the past decade, because of its improved sensitivity in attenuated or interfered signal scenarios and better tolerance of high user dynamics. As one of the major challenges for GNSS applications, equatorial ionospheric scintillation is characterized with simultaneous signal fading and large, fast carrier phase changes, which requires both high sensitivity and high dynamic performance in carrier tracking algorithms. The objective of the proposed thesis is to conduct thorough, fundamental analysis and modeling of VTL architecture to obtain insights into the impact and optimization of VTL design strategies and parameters on its performance when processing strong equatorial scintillation signals. Real strong equatorial scintillation IF data collected on Ascension Island during the recent solar maximum will be used to for the analysis and performance evaluations of the optimized algorithms.

Adviser: Dr. Yu Morton
Co-Adviser: N/A
Non-ECE Member: Dr. Olivier Pinaud, Math
Member 3: Dr. Frank Van Graas, ECE
Addional Members: Dr. Charles Rino, ECE

Publications:
[1] Dongyang Xu and Yu Morton, GPS Multi-Frequency Carrier Phase Characterization During Strong Equatorial Ionospheric Scintillation, ION GNSS+ 2015 Sep 14-18th, Tampa, Florida

[2] Dongyang Xu, Yu Morton, Dennis Akos, and Todd Walter, GPS Carrier Parameters Characterization During Strong Equatorial Ionospheric Scintillation, ION ITM 2015, 26~28th Jan, Dana Point, California

[3] Jiao, Yu, Dongyang Xu, Yu Morton, and Charles Rino, Equatorial Scintillation Amplitude Fading Characteristics Across the GPS Frequency Bands, accepted for publication in Navigation, 2016.

[4] Dongyang Xu, Yu Morton, BeiDou Signal Parameters Characterization During Strong Equatorial Ionospheric Scintillation, ION GNSS+ 2016, Portland, Oregon, September, 2016.


Program of Study:
ECE 516
ECE581A4
ECE581A6
ECE651
ECE652
ECE799
ECE 752
N/A