Research ThemeAutonomous Sensing PlatformsSensor Signal ProcessingAimEnabling anti-spoofing, anti-jamming receivers for current and future PNT systemsObjectivesExtract unique radio frequency fingerprints (RFF) of GNSS satellites for spoofing resilient PNT receivers.Develop efficient multi-chain signal processing algorithms or AI tools to identify malicious parties in complex electromagnetic environment.Design autonomous null-steering RF frontend for anti-jamming PNT receivers.Showcase the security performance of developed PNT receiver in both lab and field testing, without compromising PNT accuracy.DescriptionThe increasingly dependent on GNSS-enabled positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) in both military and civil applications demands more robust GNSS receivers which are resilient to both unintentional and intentional interference.In collaboration with Spirent, which leads the global market for GNSS test equipment and emulation software (SimGNSS), we aim to develop both hardware- and software-enabled security approaches to PNT services. This includes 1) exploiting minute and unique radio frequency (RF) frontend differences as unclonable ID for genuine GNSS satellites to combat spoofing attack; 2) developing array-based autonomous beamforming designs, and associated efficient signal sensing and processing capabilities to reject potential malicious jamming and spoofing parties; and 3) integrate and prototyping security-enhanced GNSS receivers for practical demonstration.It is importance to mention that these GNSS system challenges are recently documented in the ESA ITT (see the links below), highlighting the urgent needs in defence sectors.https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/details/140407https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/details/89700https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/details/159629 Closing date: Sat, 31/01/2026 - 12:00 Apply now Principal Supervisor Dr Yuan Ding Assistant Supervisor Prof John Thompson Prof. George Goussetis Eligibility Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants. Funding Home rate fees and stipend are available for this position.
