Satellite navigation receivers are used to receive, process, and decode space-based navigation signals, such as those provided by the GPS constellation of satellites. There is an increasing need for a unified open platform that will enable enhanced receiver development and design, as well as cost-effective testing procedures for various applications. This book provide hands-on exploration of new technologies in this rapidly growing field.

One of the unique features of the work is the interactive approach used, giving readers the ability to construct their own Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers. To construct such a reconfigurable receiver with a wide range of applications, the authors discuss receiver architecture based on software-defined radio (SDR) techniques. The presentation unfolds in a systematic, user-friendly style and goes from the basics to cutting-edge research.

Additional features and topics include:

* Presentation of basic signal structures used in GPS and Galileo, the European satellite navigation system

* Design and implementation of a GPS signal generator

* Presentation and analysis of different methods of signal acquisition--serial search; parallel-frequency space search; and parallel-code phase search--as well as code/carrier tracking and navigation data decoding

* A complete GPS software receiver implemented using MATLAB code as well as GPS and GIOVE-A signal records allowing readers to change various parameters and immediately see their effects

* MATLAB-based exercises

* A hands-on method of testing the material covered in the book: supplementary front-end hardware equipment--which may be purchased at http: //ccar.colorado.edu/gnss--enables readers working on a Windows or LINUX system to generate real-world data by converting analog signals to digital signals

* Supplementary course material for instructors available at http: //gps.aau.dk/softgps

* Bibliography of recent results and comprehensive index

The book is aimed at applied mathematicians, electrical engineers, geodesists, and graduate students. It may be used as a textbook in various GPS technology and signal processing courses, or as a self-study reference for anyone working with satellite navigation receivers.