Advances in Global Navigation Satellite Systems, Innovations in Navigation Radios, and Bootstrapping a High-Tech Start-Up in Silicon Valley

Event Status
Scheduled

Abstract:

This is a three-part presentation spanning the areas of advances in global navigation satellite systems, innovations in navigation radios, and bootstrapping a high-tech start-up. Recent and ongoing developments of a satellite-based augmentation to GPS, called iGPS, will be described, as will innovations in next-generation navigation radio technology, and finally insights and experience into putting together a high-tech start-up. The first part of the presentation focuses on an ongoing effort to improve GPS performance by augmenting the GPS constellation with a second constellation of low-Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. The second satellite constellation is the Iridium satellite constellation, originally designed to provide global two-way telephony and data communications. The on-orbit Iridium satellite constellation has been modified to provide next-generation global navigation capabilities to users. The improvements include the addition of new ranging signals, signal encryption, and delivery of ephemeris and satellite clock data. The improvements focus on providing additional anti-jam performance, improved navigation accuracy, and signal acquisition enhancements to users.

The second part of the presentation focuses on innovative technologies for next-generation navigation radios. Two areas in which navigation radio technology has recently advanced are 1) extending the life and functionality of legacy radio equipment and 2) improving navigation performance with the addition of complementary sensor technology. Two examples are given; the first one illustrates a practical solution to adding new RF signals to legacy GPS radios and the second one involves utilizing IMU and magnetometer sensors with a single LEO satellite for navigation.

The third part of the presentation takes a look at entrepreneurship in high-technology. This part of the presentation provides practical experience, guidelines, and advice for creating and running a high-tech start-up. The key elements of a successful start-up are people, personalities, investment, technological prowess, strategy, and commitment. Each of these elements is considered and practical examples and reflections are detailed.

Biography:

Dr. Brent M. Ledvina is the Director of New Business and Technology at Coherent Navigation, Inc. in San Mateo, CA. He also holds an adjunct faculty position at Virginia Tech in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He received a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1999 and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University in 2003. His research interests are in the areas of ionospheric physics, space weather, estimation and filtering, software-defined radios, navigation, and GNSS security. He has 10 issued and pending patents and over 40 refereed journal and conference papers.

Date and Time
Nov. 19, 2010, All Day