INTERFERENCE LOCALIZATION FOR EUTELSAT SATELLITES - THE FIRST EUROPEAN TRANSMITTER LOCATION SYSTEM

In order to combat the problem of interference on EUTELSAT satellites, a study was let to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), Defford, UK. This study investigated transmitter location using two-s atellite techniques; time difference of arrival (TDOA) and frequency d ifference of arrival (FDOA). The study produced predictions that inter ference could be located to tens of km using pairs of EUTELSAT II sate llites in north/south stationkept orbits. If a satellite in an incline d orbit, such as a EUTELSAT I, was used, the interference could be loc ated an order of magnitude more accurately. The dominant cause of loca tion error was found to be the satellite ephemeris accuracy in predict ing velocity. The theoretical findings were backed up with a successfu l measurement campaign which targeted both test signals from a known l ocation and operational traffic. (C) British Crown Copyright 1997/DERA .