GPS Receiver Project

By listening to more systems, we can use the receiver for new applications, such as Global Navigation Satellite System [GNSS] reflectometry. This satellite remote sensing technique uses GNSS signals reflected from the Earth’s surface to estimate environmental conditions over the sea and land. It’s used to monitor wind direction and speed over the ocean and the height of waves, which helps maritime planning. It’s also used for flood management and other passive radar and remote sensing applications. The upgrade will also improve how we monitor the Earth’s ionosphere, which affects satellite communications. A multi-signal [frequency] receiver will allow us to better understand the ionosphere, and therefore space weather, which affects satellite communications for uses such as live sports broadcasts, defence and NBN sky muster internet provision in remote areas.

ACSER’s Kea and Namuru (an earlier model) are the only ‘flight-proven’, locally made GPS receivers in Australia and New Zealand. The advancements we’ll make, thanks to this funding, will ensure our GPS receiver is competitive with others on the market, which are currently imported. We’ll be able to provide local customers with improved devices at a lower cost than imports. There will also be potential to export it.

A range of Australian industries will benefit from improving locally owned and operated GPS receiver technology. Satellite and rocket operators will benefit from more accurate positioning of their platforms. Maritime operators will be able to plan routes more efficiently and safely. Satellite communications operators will have better measurements of space weather. There will also be various applications for defence related to passive radar systems.