Project Abstract

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are critical to a wide range of civilian and military operations, but their vulnerability to signal jamming presents a growing concern as jamming devices become more accessible and sophisticated. Understanding how terrain and antenna design affect GNSS signal disruption is vital to developing robust countermeasures and safeguarding essential infrastructure. This research responds to the increasing need for predictive tools that can assess jamming threats in realistic environments. The study aimed to develop a modelling framework capable of simulating GNSS signal jamming while accounting for environmental terrain features and receiver antenna patterns. The unique aspect of this research lies in its combination of physical modelling with user experience-driven outputs, bridging a gap between technical performance metrics and practical usability for operators and engineers. The methodology involved constructing a MATLAB-based simulation tool that models GNSS signal propagation and interference using terrain data and directional antenna gain profiles. The tool generated visual and quantitative outputs including coverage maps of jamming signals and jamming-to-signal ratios, allowing for scenario-based analysis of jamming effects. Key findings revealed how terrain obstructions and antenna directionality can significantly alter the extent and severity of jamming zones. The results provide a clear demonstration of how small environmental or system design changes can lead to major differences in signal reliability and vulnerability. This work contributes a predictive, visual tool that enhances understanding of GNSS jamming in real-world conditions. It enables more informed decision-making in the design of GNSS-dependent systems and the implementation of counter-jamming strategies, offering a foundation for further research into terrain-aware signal protection techniques.

Keywords: GNSS Signal Jamming, MATLAB, Secure Navigation

 Conference Details

Session: B

Location: Sir Stanley Clarke Auditorium at 13:30 15:30

Markers: Mark Jones, Lu Zhang

Course: BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry 4yr FI

Future Plans: I have a job lined-up