GNSS RF front ends for SDR software receivers
Configurable RF acquisition hardware for GNSS SDR software receivers, DIF recording and repeatable post-processing—from compact one- and two-input units to an eight-channel rackmount platform.
PORTOS family Front ends and recorders for ARAMIS
Model options
RF channels, center frequencies, bandwidths, sampling rates, clocking and interfaces are specified with the order. The A-number identifies the principal antenna-input configuration; it does not limit a unit to one RF frequency per antenna.
Compact · single antenna input
The smallest and least expensive PORTOS option for conventional multi-frequency SDR reception, RF recording, algorithm development and field measurements.
Compact · dual antenna input
A compact platform for two-antenna measurements, differential reception, reflectometry, orientation experiments and comparative signal studies.
Rackmount · up to eight antenna inputs
The high-channel-count platform for multi-antenna research, CRPA, coherent acquisition, ionosphere monitoring and GNSS-INS development. Combined with the ARAMIS SDR engine, it forms the RAD GNSS SDR receiver.
Receiver and laboratory workflow
PORTOS down-converts and digitizes antenna signals, supplies the receiver-side RF/DIF streams, and can record them for later processing.
Live reception Antenna → PORTOS → ARAMIS ISM, ARAMIS R&D receiver or RAD
Post-processing PORTOS recording → DIF files → ARAMIS ISM, ARAMIS R&D receiver, RAD or another compatible SDR receiver
RF playback Recorded or simulated file → ReGen / Replicator playback hardware → receiver under test
Recording and RF playback are separate functions. PORTOS is not presented as a real-time retransmitter; ReGen with Replicator hardware provides the controlled RF playback or simulation path.
Channel architecture
PORTOS RF channels are specified for the required GNSS bands, sampling and bandwidth, then mapped to the appropriate antenna inputs.
One antenna may feed several RF paths through a splitter, while A2 and A8 configurations preserve separate antenna paths under a common clock. A8 provides up to eight configurable channels for the highest channel-count experiments.
Research applications
Acquire several antenna inputs under a common timing architecture for CRPA, direction finding, adaptive processing and antenna-array experiments.
Work with samples, baseband data, correlators and observables rather than being limited to a closed position output.
Configure the signal path and processing for propagation monitoring, amplitude and phase analysis, and multi-frequency studies.
Record RF environments for subsequent analysis and controlled RF reproduction using a separate ReGen / Replicator system.
Data & software access
With ARAMIS ISM, the ARAMIS R&D receiver or RAD, PORTOS supports real-time operation and post-processing from recorded data. PORTOS supplies the RF and digitized-IF path; ARAMIS supplies acquisition, tracking, observables and navigation processing.
Timing & integrated navigation
RAD combines ARAMIS SDR processing and PORTOS A8 hardware with external timing and synchronized IMU data collection for GNSS–INS development.
A dedicated adapter can transfer RS-422 IMU packets with the receiver data stream to the processing computer. The resulting dataset supports loose, tight and ultra-tight coupling research, algorithm comparison and repeatable post-processing.
Controlled record & playback
PORTOS records GNSS/RF signal environments for later analysis. Laboratory playback is performed independently by ReGen. The two units are intentionally unsynchronized and provide no real-time recording-to-transmission path.
See Simceiver™ and ReGen systems PORTOS A8 datasheetIndependent published evaluation
Dr. Mehul V. Desai, Dr. Darshna D. Jagiwala and Dr. Shweta N. Shah evaluated a customized integrated PORTOS RF front end and ARAMIS SDR receiver for NavIC L5 + GPS L1 ionospheric-correction and positioning research published in IETE Technical Review. The SAC/ISRO-funded work used raw signal data and the ARAMIS Navigation API.
Read the paper (PDF) Publisher pageConfiguration enquiry
Tell us the frequencies, antenna count, bandwidth, sampling, timing, recording, software-access and IMU requirements. We will propose the appropriate PORTOS A1, A2 or A8 front end with an ARAMIS ISM, ARAMIS R&D or RAD receiver configuration.
Discuss a PORTOS system