Project Description

We are looking into the GNSS reflectometry (for more see below) for maritime surveillance and is based on detecting and correlating reflected GNSS signals with the original signals in a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite or correlating the reflected signals with GNSS code replicas. 

This is a new technology that is promising for detecting ships that does not want to be found – so called dark ships. The localization of the reflected signal can be assumed calculated by the geometry of the GNSS satellite and the receiving satellite. In addition, we investigate how a payload in an LEO satellite can detect and monitor malicious GNSS radio frequency interference (RFI) events – jamming and spoofing. 

For these two purposes, we need a payload to record and process the received signals, direct and reflected. The current intended payload platform for the GNSS-R payload is based on a Xilinx RFSoC, where we have a RFSoC development board for prototyping. The purpose of this task is to move from a lab prototype board closer to a flight ready prototype.

About Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R)

GNSS-R operates as a bi-static radar using Earth-illuminating GNSS signals from GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo satellites at around 20,000 km altitude. These signals, reflected off the Earth's surface and objects, can be measured by LEO satellite antenna receivers at about 600 km altitude. By installing an GNSS antenna on the zenith side and a GNSS-R antenna on the nadir side of the LEO satellites, 3D positioning of reflective points and analysis of surface in the glistering zone is possible.

Until recently, the primary remote sensing applications of spaceborne GNSS-R focus on the analysis of the sea-state (local wind speed, sea surface roughness, sea altimetry), soil moisture, biomass and vegetation estimation, sea-ice sheets analysis (height, volume, sea/ice index) and tsunami warning. An early study has also shown that oil spills can be detected. We will focus on the ability to detect and localize anomalies near the ocean surface. GNSS interference is also an option.

Impact
Space technology plays a crucial role in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN. GNSS-R has the capability to be an all-weather, near real-time detection space-based surveillance system independent clouds and systems based on trust and self-reporting such as AIS. GNSS-R has the potential to allows us to detect and monitor water vessels at sea and localize GNSS inference sources originating from sea or land. This project target

Space technology plays a crucial role in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN. GNSS-R has the capability to be an all-weather, near real-time detection space-based surveillance system independent clouds and systems based on trust and self-reporting such as AIS. In Norway, space has a crucial role to play in our collective security and monitoring of critical infrastructure and the Arctic region. GNSS-R has the potential to allows us to detect and monitor water vessels at sea and localize GNSS inference sources originating from sea or land. This project target

• SDG9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure. The outcomes have an innovative and commercial potential for industry and can contribute both to new space-based infrastructure and protection of existing critical infrastructure beyond GNSS.

• SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions. Maritime surveillance and GNSS interference monitoring are both relevant for this.

Tasks and Expected Outcomes
The interested student can choose from different sub-tasks/focus areas: 

• From prototype-board to engineering model: Based on the given requirements for the payload system (number of RF channels, bandwidth, etc), identify which steps are needed during the design process to define a GNSS-R payload that can be integrated into a satellite. Propose a high-level design for the needed functions and the hardware that can fulfil the requirements. 
• Software framework and architecture. We need a custom made/tailored build system based on the AMD Petalinux for the RFSoC. We also need a software architecture that can enable a modularized processing pipeline with the possibility of hardware acceleration of certain pipeline components/functions.  

Direct collaboration with other students working on GNSS-R related projects is possible. 
 

Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a highly motivated final year student in Cybernetics, Electronics, or a related field with an interest either one or several of the topics

• Keen interest in electronics and embedded systems
• Knowledge and a desire to work with space hardware and software, developing low-level electronics 
• Skills in Linux and C is required, knowledge about FPGAs is desired but not a requirement. 

Experience from embedded systems, real-time systems and computer architecture is a plus.

How we work
The student will be part of the NTNU SmallSat lab, a lab which typically hosts 10-20 master's student per semester. At the NTNU SmallSat Lab we encourage collaboration and try to get our group to help each other. To facilitate this, we as well as arrange common lunches and workshops where the students and supervisors can learn from each other. I some project we also implement a development process.

Supervisor(s)

• Torleiv H. Bryne(main supervisor, NTNU/ITK), Roger Birkeland (co-supervisor, NTNU/IES)
• Egil Eide (main supervisor, NTNU/IES), Roger Birkeland (co-supervisor, NTNU/IES)