Navigation Using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed Signals of Opportunity

The global positioning system (GPS) provides high-accuracy position measurements anywhere in the world. However, a limitation of this system is that a line of sight to multiple satellites is required; therefore, it is unsuitable to use indoors or in urban canyons. Also, in the presence of radio-frequency interference or jamming, GPS may be unavailable. Alternative methods of navigation and positioning are need to either compliment GPS as a backup or for use in areas unreachable by satellites. This research analyzes a feature-based correlation approach for determining reception differences between two Orthogonal Frequency Division receivers for the purpose of TDOA calculations. Multicarrier signals have a very defined signal structure which allows for non-cooperative symbol detection techniques. Simulations are conducted with different correlation windows sizes, SNR values, and eight different statistical features. Out of the eight features tested the symbol mean and average symbol phase proved to be the most promising because they are able to achieve accurate symbol difference estimations at SNR values below 0 dB