5. Performance Evaluation Theory for Satellite Navigation Signals

Theoretical evaluation is an objective and convenient method to acknowledge the performance of a signal. In this context, since the obtained performance is largely associated with the processing techniques implemented by receivers, the theoretical evaluation of a signal should also comprehensively consider the receiving strategies. In order to provide better performance for a wide range of users, the performance under traditional matched receiving, as well as under the various other receiving strategies, should be considered and optimized, where the theoretical evaluation criteria are treated as the guidance and objective for the signal design process. With respect to signal receiving, theoretical evaluation is a convenient method to compare the performance under various receiving strategies, thus providing useful information for choosing appropriate implementations for receiver manufacturers. Accordingly, the theoretical evaluation of signal performance becomes an essential topic for both the signal design and receiving in GNSS. In this chapter, we will discuss the theory and methods of navigation signal performance analysis based on time and frequency-domain characteristics of the spreading modulation waveform. A set of evaluation methods that both supports the various local receiving strategies and decouples from unrelated factors is provided. Specifically, the mismatch of the code chip waveform of the local despreading signal is considered. These methods have provided direct guidance for the spreading modulation optimization and selection of the next-generation satellite navigation signals.