A test method for dynamic multi-source suppression jamming effects on UAV Satellite Navigation Systems

The operational reliability of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is critically dependent on their Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). However, in increasingly contested electromagnetic environments, the inherent weakness of GNSS signals makes them highly susceptible to suppression jamming, leading to performance degradation or mission failure. Existing test standards often focus on single-jammer, static scenarios and lack the quantitative rigor needed to assess the performance of advanced multi-element antenna systems under complex, dynamic conditions.

This research aims to address this gap by developing and validating a standardized, quantitative test methodology for evaluating the anti-suppression-jamming performance of UAV GNSS systems. The objective is to create a reproducible framework that can simulate dynamic, multi-source interference and provide a comprehensive assessment from the RF front-end to the complete system level.

A hybrid test methodology integrating direct Radio Frequency (RF) injection and over-the-air (OTA) spatial irradiation was established within a microwave anechoic chamber. This “injection-irradiation” approach facilitates a full-link evaluation. Both static and dynamic tests were conducted on a seven-element GNSS adaptive array receiver. Static tests involved assessing performance against an increasing number of jammers (one to six) from fixed spatial locations. Dynamic tests simulated UAV maneuvers by placing the receiver on a turntable rotating at 2°/s, exposing it to a changing interference geometry. Performance was quantified by the jamming-to-signal (J/S) ratio threshold, carrier-to-noise ratio, and positioning success rate.

Static tests quantified a distinct saturation effect on the receiver’s spatial filtering capability; the J/S ratio threshold for positioning failure decreased from 106 dB against a single continuous-wave jammer to 60 dB against six broadband noise jammers. Critically, dynamic tests revealed a complex spatio-temporal coupling effect. In the six-jammer scenario, the system maintained a 100% positioning success rate at a J/S ratio of 70 dB while rotating, paradoxically outperforming its 60 dB static failure threshold. This demonstrates that the constant change in interference geometry can prevent the algorithm from settling into a worst-case nulling solution.

The proposed combined injection-irradiation and dynamic test methodology provides a robust and standardized framework for the quantitative assessment of UAV GNSS anti-jamming capabilities. The findings reveal that static tests alone are insufficient for predicting performance, as dynamic conditions can fundamentally alter the system’s response to multi-source interference. This research offers a critical tool for the realistic evaluation, design optimization, and validation of navigation systems intended for operation in complex electromagnetic environments.