TeleConsult Austria GmbH

Signal authentication utilizing a dual frequency software-based GNSS receiver for trusted positioning (SoftGNSStrusted)

Aim
Investigation of new algorithms for signal authentication using software-based GNSS receivers

Brief Description
Today, hundreds of millions of people worldwide use Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for determining user's position and time. The applications include nearly everything from critical applications in transportation, information technology, health and emergency services and defence to law enforcement. GNSS becomes an essential part in our society! But, the more a resource becomes valuable to our civil infrastructure, criminal or malicious agents seek to discover and exploit weaknesses in order to disrupt legitimate users. The need for a secure and trustworthy GNSS position will become more and more important. In a comprehensive study of GPS vulnerabilities the U.S. Department of Transportation warned of these threats and a loss of quality and image of GNSS. But, how can users be sure the information they receive is authentic? The signal authentication, which will be necessary to assure a reliable determination of position and time, was not an initial design consideration for civil use of GPS. In comparison the upcoming European system Galileo will employ such features. But this service is still a couple of years from operation. Further new methods for signal authentication are just able to detect simple attacks, or need additional mostly expensive hardware.

The main goal of the proposed SoftGNSStrusted project is the investigation of new algorithms for signal authentication using software-based GNSS receivers. Due to higher computation power and flexibility of the receiver the developed methods will allow the detection of intentional interferences like jamming, meaconing and especially the complex spoofing.

Project Partners
    TeleConsult Austria GmbH (lead)
    Institute for Signal Processing and Speech Communication Laboratory,
       Graz University of Technology
    Institute of Navigation, Graz University of Technology
    University Centre of Rottenmann (UZR)

Financing
    Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Status
    Running