Communications and High-Precision Positioning (CHP2): Enabling Secure CNS and APNT for Safety-Critical Air Transport Systems

Sharanya Srinivas, Andrew Herschfelt, Hanguang Yu, Shunyao Wu, Yang Li, Hyunseok LEE, Chaitali Chakrabarti, Daniel W. Bliss

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) have recently enabled novel applications such as passenger transport and package delivery, but are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattack and therefore difficult to certify. These applications require robust positioning, communciations, and time synchronization services. Legacy systems such as GPS provide these capabilities extremely well, but are sensitive to spoofing and hijacking cyberattacks. In a previous study, we developed a local GPS alternative that provides highly secure communications, positioning, and timing synchronization services to networks of cooperative RF users. In this study, we consider this Communications and High-Precision Positioning (CHP2) system in the context of safety-critical transport applications and urban air mobility. We demonstrate rapid (< 100 ms) and precise (< 1cm) positioning capabilities in over-the-air experiments using flexible ground stations and UAS platforms using limited bandwidth (10 MhZ). We compare several position estimation algorithms in simulation and experimental test environments to identify suitable approaches for different applications. We discuss how the integrated communications link secures the system from spoofing and hijacking cyberattacks. We assert that the these capabilities make CHP2 a suitable candidate to provide both communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) and alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) services for safety-critical transport applications on a variety of vehicular platforms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDASC 2020 - 39th Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728198255
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 11 2020
Event39th AIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference, DASC 2020 - Virtual, San Antonio, United States
Duration: Oct 11 2020Oct 16 2020

Publication series

NameAIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference - Proceedings
Volume2020-October
ISSN (Print)2155-7195
ISSN (Electronic)2155-7209

Conference

Conference39th AIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference, DASC 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, San Antonio
Period10/11/2010/16/20

Keywords

  • Alternative positioning
  • Communications
  • Navigation
  • RF convergence
  • Safety-critical air transport systems (ATS)
  • Spectrum sharing
  • Surveillance (CNS)
  • Timing (APNT)
  • Urban air mobility (UAM)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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