GPS Interference Mapper

About This Project

Monitor GPS signal quality metrics across orbital passes to detect and map regions of GPS interference or jamming on the ground. Generate global interference heat maps from accumulated data without geolocating individual emitters.

Overview

GPS signals are weak by the time they reach Earth's surface — about one hundred billion times weaker than a typical cell phone signal. This makes them vulnerable to interference, whether accidental or deliberate. Detecting and mapping GPS interference from space provides a unique vantage point: a single satellite in low Earth orbit can survey vast geographic regions, identifying areas where GPS signal quality degrades. The payload monitors GPS receiver health metrics — carrier-to-noise ratio and automatic gain control levels — across every orbital pass, flagging geographic regions where these metrics consistently degrade. Over weeks of accumulated data, patterns emerge: areas near conflict zones, regions with known jamming activity, locations with accidental interference from poorly shielded electronics. The experiment does not attempt to geolocate individual interference sources (which would require multiple synchronized satellites), but rather produces a statistical map of GPS signal quality degradation across the globe. This capability has enormous commercial and national security value — demonstrated by the billion-dollar valuations of companies operating RF geolocation constellations. The student version captures the mapping concept at accessible complexity.

Technical Details

Space-capable GPS receiver (piNAV-NG or similar, ~$500-1,500) logging C/N0 (carrier-to-noise ratio) and AGC (automatic gain control) values per satellite across geographic regions. u-blox MAX-M10S has built-in jamming/spoofing detection flags accessible via I2C but COCOM velocity limit requires space-grade receiver. Simplified version: single zenith antenna, log C/N0 + AGC + position at 1 Hz, downlink raw data. Advanced version: dual antenna (zenith for baseline, nadir for Earth-originated GPS-band emissions) with spectrum snapshots.

Research & Notes

HawkEye 360 (valued over $1B) built entire constellation for RF geolocation — enormous commercial value in this domain. JamSail educational CubeSat (launch NET 2026) uses NT1065 + Zynq 7030 FPGA for full spectrum analysis — far beyond undergrad scope. C/N0-monitoring approach is achievable by upperclassmen with RF/signals coursework. Mission generates global interference heat maps from accumulated orbital passes without geolocating individual emitters (which requires multiple satellites). Regulatory considerations around interference mapping should be reviewed with faculty. Cost: $1,000-$3,000 for simplified version. Complexity: high overall, simplified version approachable. Tier 2 recommendation — high impact but demanding.

Required Disciplines

This project spans 3 disciplines, making it suitable for interdisciplinary student teams.

Next Steps

Ready to take on this project? Here's a general roadmap that applies to most CubeSat missions:

1. Build your foundation: Complete the core modules in the CubeSat Academy to understand spacecraft subsystems, mission design, and development workflows.
2. Form a team: Recruit students across the required disciplines and identify a faculty advisor. Plan for knowledge transfer between graduating and incoming members.
3. Write a mission concept: Draft a 1–2 page document outlining your objectives, target orbit, payload requirements, and success criteria.
4. Connect with a chapter: Join a Blackwing chapter for mentorship, shared resources, and access to the platform ecosystem.
5. Explore the developer tools: Visit the Developer Portal for platform documentation, SDKs, and hardware specs.
6. Plan your timeline: Map milestones to your academic calendar. Most projects align well with a 2–4 semester capstone or research sequence.
7. Reach out: Contact us to discuss your project goals, platform selection, and path to orbit.