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GNSS-based hardware-in-the-loop simulations of spacecraft formation flying with the global ionospheric model TIEGCM

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Abstract

Low-earth-orbit (LEO) spacecraft formation flying (SFF) simulated on the Virginia Tech Formation Flying Testbed (VTFFTB) demonstrated the feasibility of detecting simplified ionospheric electron density (Ne) structures (i.e., one-dimensional equatorial plasma bubbles/EPBs) utilizing a differential total electron content (TEC) method. The Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) is used to greatly enhance the ionospheric Ne simulation capability and fidelity (e.g., dimension, resolution, more realistic space weather processes) of GNSS-based hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations in the current work. An algorithm is developed to incorporate TIEGCM 4D ionospheric Ne profiles into the VTFFTB HIL infrastructure by simulating the TEC impacts on multi-band GNSS signals. First, a series of first-principle analyses on ionospheric Ne retrieval accuracy are presented using software-based LEO SFF simulations in the TIEGCM ionosphere. Subsequently, two HIL ionospheric space weather observation simulation test cases, EPB and Tongues-of-Ionization (TOI), are simulated on the VTFFTB to demonstrate the enhanced 4D ionospheric simulation capability and evaluate the Ne retrieval characteristics. The Ne retrieval techniques are validated and characterized in the TIEGCM ionosphere via both software and HIL simulations. In principle, the technique developed is expected to be applicable to other similar simulation platforms, as well as other global or regional ionospheric models. This is advantageous for future GNSS testing, HIL simulations, and technology developments.

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Data availability

The TIEGCM dataset (a) and (b) in “.mat” format are archived in “https://computing.ece.vt.edu/~TIEGCM/”. For source codes to implement the algorithms in the VTFFTB, please contact the authors to discuss options.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to appreciate Talini Pinto Jayawardena, Paul Crampton and Edward Schwanke from Spirent for providing useful suggestions. Thanks also go to Sreeja Veettil from the University of Nottingham for sharing valuable experience. Dong Lin is supported by the Advanced Study Program (ASP) Postdoctoral Fellowship of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Space Science and Engineering Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    YuXiang Peng & Wayne A. Scales

  2. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, USA

    YuXiang Peng

  3. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA

    Dong Lin

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  1. YuXiang Peng
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  2. Wayne A. Scales
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  3. Dong Lin
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Correspondence to YuXiang Peng.

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Peng, Y., Scales, W.A. & Lin, D. GNSS-based hardware-in-the-loop simulations of spacecraft formation flying with the global ionospheric model TIEGCM. GPS Solut 25, 65 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-021-01099-x

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