Combined Navigation and Tracking with Applications to Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites complement classic GNSS by offering stronger signals, improved visibility, and system redundancy. Typical high speeds in LEO orbits generate rapid variations of the receiver-to-satellite geometry, which can improve the convergence of Precise Point Positioning (PPP) algorithms. However, high dynamics also induce strong Doppler rates at the receiver, which make the tracking procedures more difficult. In this paper, a loosely combined navigation and tracking architecture is applied to a Xona PULSAR™ Demonstration Signal in the L-Band such that the dynamic stress perceived by the receiver is mitigated. Other practical aspects of the Xona PULSAR™ receiver will be also discussed.