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In Finland, frequent disruptions caused by GPS jamming have impacted daily civilian life, creating significant challenges for navigation. A new approach, utilizing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites combined with massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, offers a solution for these challenges. This method, which ensures accurate navigation even when traditional global navigation sate by Mahmoud Elsanhoury
Vaasa, Finland (SPX) Oct 04, 2024
In Finland, frequent disruptions caused by GPS jamming have impacted daily civilian life, creating significant challenges for navigation. A new approach, utilizing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites combined with massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, offers a solution for these challenges. This method, which ensures accurate navigation even when traditional global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are compromised, has been validated in a recent doctoral dissertation by Mahmoud Elsanhoury from the University of Vaasa.
Elsanhoury's doctoral research investigates advanced positioning technologies aimed at improving navigation accuracy and reliability. His work spans several domains, including the development of an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) system for precise indoor navigation-referred to as "the indoor GPS"-and improvements to outdoor vehicular positioning through GNSS advancements. Additionally, his dissertation introduces a novel positioning method using LEO satellites to overcome the shortcomings of existing GNSS systems. Through rigorous testing and simulations, Elsanhoury has demonstrated significant improvements in both indoor and outdoor positioning accuracy.
Despite advancements in positioning technologies, existing systems still struggle to provide reliable solutions for overcoming issues like GPS jamming, according to Elsanhoury, who will defend his dissertation at the University of Vaasa on October 3, 2024.
UWB and LEO Satellites for Enhanced Navigation
Elsanhoury's research highlights two core technologies: UWB systems for enhanced indoor navigation and LEO satellites for improving outdoor navigation. UWB technology enables high-precision positioning in dense indoor environments, while the LEO satellite-based method addresses the limitations of traditional GNSS systems.
LEO Satellites: A Promising Solution for Outdoor Navigation
For outdoor scenarios, Elsanhoury introduces a new LEO satellite-based method to counter GPS jamming and interference, which have become persistent issues in Finland and other regions. This method uses multiple signal beams from LEO satellites to boost navigation reliability, even when GNSS systems are disrupted.
Simulation results showed promising outcomes, with the new LEO-based method outperforming GNSS in difficult road conditions. The LEO system achieved positioning accuracy of 9.15 meters, compared to the GNSS accuracy of 26.6 meters.
"Our methods demonstrated improvements in positioning accuracy by over 60% to 190% in outdoor environments," said Elsanhoury.
This patented method has gained international recognition. "I have presented our LEO-MIMO invention at numerous international venues, including Japan, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. Industry professionals consistently affirm the potential of this invention, especially in delivering reliable location information with optimized resource usage and reduced risks. Recently, this concept won the EUNICE Entrepreneurial Award 2024 in Spain," Elsanhoury added.
Elsanhoury believes that the positioning technologies explored in his research could also be applied to extraterrestrial environments like the Moon and Mars, where space agencies such as NASA and ESA are working on establishing sustainable human settlements.
UWB: A Key Technology for Indoor Navigation
Elsanhoury's research also focuses on UWB systems for navigating complex indoor environments, such as industrial spaces. UWB technology has proven robust in these dense settings, overcoming typical wireless communication issues. By integrating UWB with supporting technologies like inertial motion sensors, the accuracy of location information can be significantly improved, addressing challenges faced by traditional systems in confined areas.
Experiments conducted in the Technobothnia laboratory on the Vaasa campus revealed that UWB technology achieved a mean accuracy of just 4.7 centimeters, a substantial improvement over standard methods. These results show great potential for applications such as smart logistics and automated systems.
Elsanhoury's research achievements have earned him multiple accolades, including the NOKIA Foundation scholarship, the Innovation of the Year award at the University of Vaasa, and selection as one of Finland's Top-10 young scientists. He has also represented Finland at the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore and won the EUNICE Entrepreneurial Award in Spain.
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