PRECISIO — Design considerations for a multi-constellation, multi-frequency software receiver

GNSS is entering into a period of intense change over the next 5-10 years which will impact on users and operators of high-end GNSS equipment. For many years, GPS and GLONASS existed as the only systems. However, all is set to change with the advent of new global and regional systems (Galileo, Compass, IRNSS, GINS and QZSS), augmentation services and test satellites offering combined new and improved performance. Furthermore, GPS and GLONASS are also going through their own phases of modernisation with the GPS III programme and the GLONASS M and K programmes. With such a diverse range of developments and future possibilities it is difficult to see how the traditional hardware receiver solutions can keep pace with the speed of changes demanded by users and operators. The PRECISIO project is aiming to address this challenge by developing a high-end prototype multi-constellation, multi-frequency receiver based on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) approach. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status of the PRECISIO project.