GSLP : A GNSS satellite visibility simulation tool

Abstract

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) currently consists of many global and regional satellite constellations developed by various countries. As a result of presence of multiple constellations, signals from nearly 100 GNSS satellites in space are available for use at any point of time. From any observation point, depending on the location of the point, thus many GNSS satellites would be visible. Prediction of GNSS satellite visibility and their trajectories is important requirement for mission planning. This paper describes a Matlab based utility, GNSS Satellite Look Angle Predictor (GSLP), developed for prediction of GNSS satellite look angles and simulation of trajectories from any point over any time span that takes care of the problems of using the existing tools. The utility uses NORAD Two Line Element (TLE) files as input and visually shows the results along with creating ASCII files those contain the information. The utility currently is usable for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and NavIC/IRNSS. The concept is successfully implemented, and the results are being used for further research purposes. The utility may be useful for real-time mission planning and GNSS research.

Subject Classification:

• Information and communication
• Circuits

Keywords:

• GNSS
• GPS
• GLONASS
• Galileo
• NavIC
• Visibility
• Look Angle