04 Jul 2016 |
Research article |
Sensors, Networks and Connectivity
An Indoor Positioning System using Cognitive Radio




Header picture from the authors. Substance CC license applies.
Background
With the introduction of the new Galileo and Compass systems and the modernization of the GPS and Glonass systems, we can expect new satellites, signals and frequencies to emerge in the coming years. They will open the door for countless applications in a wide range of fields, including telecommunications. Soon, mobile phones will be able to use navigation systems to determine a person’s position inside a building—something that is currently very difficult.
Challenges
GPS navigation signals cannot be captured within buildings because the signal strength is too weak. It is almost impossible to acquire and track the signals autonomously because of signal attenuation caused by various materials (Table 1).

Table 1 Signal attenuation caused by different materials [1]

Figure 1 Indoor positioning challenges
Objectives
The objectives of this research project are to:
- Develop new methods and architectures for robust high-sensitivity GNSS receivers able to overcome interference
- Create new algorithms to be integrated into hybrid GNSS receivers that can work inside buildings thanks to the use of:
- All GNSS signals
- A collective-detection approach for acquiring satellite signals
- New cognitive-radio concepts
The final objective is to design a new high-sensitivity cognitive receiver that can effectively capture the new GNSS signals.
Methodology
This methodology includes using cognitive radio technology and software-defined radio on a platform that includes receivers for the four main navigation systems: GPS, Glonass, Galileo and Compass. For Benmammar [2], “the term ‘cognitive radio’ is used to describe a system with the ability to sense and recognize its context of use, in order to enable it to adjust its radio operating parameters dynamically and autonomously and learn from the results of its actions and its environmental setting operation”
In their article “Software-defined radio to support aviation efficiency,” published on Substance ÉTS, William Coady and René Jr. Landry define software-defined radio as “systems that can be used to transmit and/or receive radio signals. But in contrast to the functions of dedicated radio equipment, those of software-defined radio systems are programmed in software written by the user. Thus the same radio system can be used to perform multiple tasks. Moreover, it can be reprogrammed at any time.” [3]

Figure 2 Software-defined radio design, source [Img1]
Optimizing the receiver will make it possible to increase its sensitivity by at least 6 dB above current industry levels while maintaining precision in positioning. Cognitive radio will be used to ensure that the receiver operates intelligently and autonomously (choosing the best satellites to process) and makes optimal use of available resources (Figure 3).
Cognitive Radio
Cognitive radio (CR) technology has been successfully applied in the telecommunications field and recently included in satellite navigation systems. Table 2 indicates how cognitive radio technology offers more flexibility than software-developed radio (SDR). For this reason, we want to include it in the platform used at the LASSENA Laboratory. In fact, by simply adding an extra cognitive layer to the whole SDR portion already in use, we hope to create a system that is both more flexible and intelligent. Moreover, the specific CR properties seen in Table 2 (data gathering on channel conditions, learning about the environment and experimenting with different settings) are essential considerations in the proposed receiver design.

Table 2 Comparison of SDR and CR radio technologies [4]
To Be Continued
The article A Cognitive Receiver for Indoor Positioning will present the High Sensitivity Cognitive GNSS Receiver – HS-CGR, the experiments conducted and the conclusion.
This project is carried out between the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and the Institut supérieur de l’aéronautique et de l’espace (ISAE) in Toulouse, France.
Research Article
An article on the collective detection portion entitled “A New Method of Collective Acquisition of Multiple GNSS Satellite Signals in Challenging Environments” was presented at the Navitec Conference, held December 3 to 5, 2014 in Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Maherizo Andrianarison
Maherizo Andrianarison is a PhD candidate in electrical engineering at the ÉTS. He holds a master’s degree in networks and telecommunications from the ENSEEIHT. He is working on GNSS signal processing in constrained environments.
Program : Electrical Engineering
Research laboratories : LASSENA – Laboratory of Space Technologies, Embedded Systems, Navigation and Avionic

René Jr Landry
René Jr Landry is a professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at ÉTS and the Director of LASSENA. His expertise in embedded systems, navigation, and avionics applies notably in transportation, aeronautics and space technologies.
Program : Electrical Engineering
Research laboratories : LACIME – Communications and Microelectronic Integration Laboratory LASSENA – Laboratory of Space Technologies, Embedded Systems, Navigation and Avionic

Mohamed Sahmoudi
Mohamed Sahmoudi is a professor in the Department of Electronics, Optronics and Signal Processing (DEOS) at the Institute for Higher Education in Aerospace Engineering (ISAE), Toulouse, France.
Research laboratories :
Field(s) of expertise :
Communication & Wireless Communication Conception of Digital Receiver & Simulator Navigation Robustness, Jamming & Anti-Jamming Technologies Navigation, Guidance & Control (NGC) Satellite Radio-Navigation (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Compass) Indoor Positioning & Navigation Inertial Navigation System (INS) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) MEMS Sensors (Systèmes Micro Électroniques) & RFID
