Evaluating GNSS Receiver Performance in NAVWAR Environments Using 3D Simulations

Ricardo Verdeguer Moreno*, Esther Anyaegbu

This paper investigates the impact of intentional interference on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers using advanced 3D terrain modeling. As military operations increasingly confront sophisticated and near-peer RF adversaries, the resilience of GNSS-enabled positioning systems to jamming attacks has become a critical concern. Traditional systems, which rely on low power levels and narrow frequency bands, are particularly vulnerable to these disruptions. The rise of navigation warfare (NAVWAR) intensifies this threat, underscoring the need for advanced methods to protect GNSS-based capabilities. By incorporating detailed 3D terrain models, real-world environments can be simulated to better assess the performance of GNSS receivers under jamming conditions. Two distinct scenarios have been explored: one set in the rugged terrain of White Sands, USA, and another in the urban environment of Downtown Indianapolis. In White Sands, the high-speed Device-Under-Test (DUT) moves through an environment characterized by significant elevation changes, exposed to two static Continuous Waveform (CW) jammers. Conversely, the Indianapolis scenario focuses on a slower-moving DUT in an urban setting, where the receiver faces interference from both static and moving CW jammers. Each scenario presents unique challenges in terms of signal obstruction, multipath effects, and line-of-sight (LoS) visibility. Our findings demonstrate that 3D terrain models significantly improve the accuracy of GNSS performance assessments under jamming conditions, particularly in environments with complex terrain or dense urban structures. These results emphasize the critical role of advanced simulation technologies in developing resilient GNSS systems capable of withstanding intentional interference in varied and challenging real-world conditions.

Keywords: GNSS, GPS, interference, 3D terrain modelling, multipath, obscuration, diffraction