GNSS Receiver

Introduction

In the previous post I reviewed my existing GPS receivers and took a quick look at a new GPS/GNSS receiver BU-353N5 (Ref.1). In this post I am going to look more carefully at this new GNSS receiver and its capabilities. GNSS = Global Navigation Satellite System (Ref.2).

GNSS Systems

Satellite Navigation SystemProperties
GPSUnited States
<=30 MEO Satellites
Fc=1575.42MHz
1.563–1.587GHz (L1)
20,180Km Altitude
GLONASSRussia
<=24 MEO Satellites
Fc=1602.0MHz
1.593–1.610GHz (G1)
19,130Km Altitude
BeiDouChina
<=28 MEO Satellites
Fc=1561.098MHz (B1)
21,150Km Altitude
GalileoEuropean Union
<=24 MEO Satellites
Fc=1575.42MHz
1.559–1.592GHz (E1)
23,222Km Altitude
Fig.1 GNSS Systems as of 2024

Figure 1 lists the 4 operational GNSS systems as of 2024 with several important parameters.

GPS Reception

Fig.2 GNSS Serial Utility GPS @ 4800bps
Fig.3 OpenCPN Location at Spadina Quay (Red Boat)

Figures 2 & 3 show the receiver in GPS mode at 4800bps. Note that several satellites are in plain view for a good 3D fix. On OpenCPN the red boat symbol is right at the end of Spadina Quay.

GNSS Reception

Fig.4 GNSS Serial Utility @ 921600bps
Fig.5 OpenCPN Location at Spadina Quay (Red Boat)
Fig.6 Spadina Quay iPhone
Fig.7 Spadina Quay Google Earth

Figures 4 & 5 show the receiver in GNSS mode at 921600bps. Note that many satellites are in plain view for a excellent 3D fix. On OpenCPN the red boat symbol is right at the end of Spadina Quay. Figure 6 shows the iPhone Utilities/Compass reading and Figure 7 shows the Spadina Quay location on Google Earth.

Comparison

Navigation SystemLatitudeLongitude
BU-353N5 GPS43deg 38.1846′ N
43.63641deg N		79deg 23.4962′ W
79.39160deg W
BU-353N5 GNSS43deg 38.1850′ N
43.63642deg N		79deg 23.4966′ W
79.39161deg W
iPhone43deg 38′ 11″ N
43.63639deg N		79deg 23′ 30″ W
79.39167deg W
Google Earth48deg 38’10.97′ N
43.63638deg N		79deg 23′ 29.75′ W
79.39160deg W
Fig.8 Comparison of Results
Fig.9 YouTube Video GNSS Receiver

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References

#1. – “GPS/GNSS Receiver Testing”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/gps-gnss-receiver-testing/

#2. – “Satellite Navigation”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_navigation

#3. – “RTL-SDR for Satellite GPS on OpenCPN”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-satellite-gps-on-opencpn/

#4. – “RTL-SDR for Satellite GPS”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-satellite-gps/

#5. – “RTL-SDR GPS Decoding Tutorial”
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-gps-decoding-plotting/

By Jeremy Clark

Jeremy Clark is a Senior Telecommunications Engineer and Advanced Amateur Radio Operator VE3PKC. He is the author of E-Books on Telecommunications, Navigation & Electronics.