High-Sensitivity GNSS Acquisition and Integrity Monitoring for Deep Space Navigation

The research focuses on the detection and analysis of weak GNSS signals in deep space, with the aim of supporting navigation capabilities for space missions. The work involves the development and assessment of high-sensitivity acquisition techniques capable of operating under extremely low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions, where conventional methods are limited by poor signal observability and oscillator in- stability. Current efforts examine the impact of hardware impairments and propagation effects on signal quality, with the objective of characterizing and mitigating these non-idealities. A novel approach has been introduced to evaluate the integrity of IQ sample batches with negative SNR, based on monitoring the code phase evolution of GNSS signals. Future developments will address multipath propagation and explore adaptive acquisition strategies tailored to GNSS receivers operating in critical spaceborne environments.