Evaluation of a GNSS receiver performance in different multipath environments with a novel real-time multipath simulation system

ION2017

Multipath can be one of the main sources of error in a GNSS receiver in urban environment. Multipath errors can vary from a few meters to hundreds of meters according to the geometry of the satellites and environmental conditions, in particular buildings. The characterization and study of multipath is complex but important when its effects need to be compensated in a GNSS receiver, e.g. for positioning purposes. The disruption of the antenna surrounding environment in the GNSS received signal can be assessed in simulation. In fact, simulations are a powerful tool to test the performances of GNSS systems and services in controlled and repeatable conditions. Furthermore, simulations provide users with a method to characterize the multipath, to study and test advanced and new techniques for multipath rejection, to evaluate the reception in a given location and at a specific time (i.e. mission planning), and to simplify the analysis of specific events (i.e. for mission debriefing).