GAMMA

GAlileo-based Multifrequency Multipurpose Antenna

The modernisation of existing GNSS constellations and the arrival of new GNSS systems have increased the number of bands to be covered by GNSS antennas. 

Both the mass market and professional applications will benefit from the improvement in positioning and navigation performance derived from this multifrequency concept, driving the need for antennas that can support a wider bandwidth. Recent advances in GNSS antenna technology enable  higher flexibility and adaptability and a future trend is to develop antennas that can be used in different platforms and applications (hence multi-purpose).

In this framework, the unavailability of signal together with its potential discontinuity due to both unintentional and intentional interference, disturbance or attacks to the GNSS signal can cause loss of data integrity, disruption of service, and economic losses. Here is where the GAMMA project comes into play, with the development of an antenna solution, powered by Galileo signal availability, that enables providing benefits to operators by increasing the robustness of the system, using GNSS technologies.

The main goal of the GAMMA project is to develop a new beam-forming antenna product based on Galileo signal, able to operate in a multi-frequency and multi-constellation mode, reaching Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL7) and to cope with external threats such as jamming (i.e., interference) and spoofing (i.e., the malicious provision of fake positioning and timing information to a target GNSS device). 

Challenge and technical solution

GAMMA makes use of the Galileo GNSS constellation to provide a more reliable service, exploiting its inherent and defining features. The GAMMA antenna is able to mitigate interference effects that may emerge from the external environment, acting as an anti-spoofing/jamming detection and mitigation device. Also, the GAMMA antenna presents three distinct interfaces: 

• the RF-OUT for professional users with high-end GNSS receiver, 
• Data Serial for professional users to receive and process data, and 
• Bluetooth interface for mass-market applications, exploiting the potential of raw data processing.