Max amount of FITech students: 20 adult learners
This course provides the introduction to satellite based positioning, with focus on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).
Course contents
Core content:
- Satellite positioning systems. Space, control and user segments.
- Coordinate systems and coordinate transformations.
- Positioning measurements and error sources of them. Pseudorange. User’s clock bias.
- Position and time estimation. Geometry matrix.
- Ranging signals: code and carrier signals, navigation message. Satellite navigation receivers.
Complementary knowledge
- GPS, modernization of GPS, GALILEO, Glonass. Inertial navigation. Integration of INS with satellite navigation. GPS modernization.
- Satellite constellation. Time reference. Relative frequency and time errors.
- Modelling of the errors and methods for compensating the errors. DGPS.
- Dilution of precision, RMS error.
- New GPS signals, Galileo signals.
Specialist knowledge
- The development and history of satellite positioning systems.
- The development and history of coordinate systems and time references.
- Carrier phase measurement, Doppler measurement.
- The effect of user clock bias on DOP.
- Estimation of velocity.
- Glonass signals.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student knows how to
- describe the structure of satellite positioning system and explain the tasks of the segments
- describe the structure of positioning signal
and explain the properties of the signal components - describe the structure of a satellite navigation receiver and explain the tasks of the main functional blocks
- classify the error sources of positioning measurements and estimate their effect on positioning accuracy
- form a geometry matrix and use it to obtain position estimate
- define the coordinate frames important in satellite positioning, transform coordinates between the systems
Course material
Global Positioning System: Signals, Measurements, and Performance, Misra, P., and Enge, P. 2nd ed., ISBN: 0970954417
Lecture slides: Hanna Sairo and Helena Leppäkoski.
Teaching schedule
- Lectures, 19.10.2026 – 4.12.2026, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 16.00-18.00, TAU Tietotalo TB109. Lecture recordings will be available in Moodle.
- Exercises, 22.10.–3.12.2026, on Thursdays, 16.00–18.00, TAU Tietotalo TC315 tietokoneluokka. Information on how to complete exercises when participating in remotely, will be given later.
Completion methods
The student has to complete the exercise work to pass the course. The grading is mainly based on the exam.
More information in the Tampere University study guide.
You can get a digital badge after completing this course.