Intern in the Systems Department, Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section

Internship Opportunity in the Systems Department, Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section

Our team and mission

The End-To-End Systems Engineering Division (TEC-SE) is responsible for supporting projects in the engineering of E2E systems, associated security aspects, E2E systems integration/verification activities (SIV), and service preparation. The Head of the End-To-End Systems Engineering Division defines and executes technology developments and studies, manages verification and validation laboratory facilities, and supports the preparation of relevant engineering standards.

TEC-SE supports and develops the following engineering competences:

• E2E generic engineering tools, processes and competences
• All aspects of Security engineering at System level, including cyber security, crypto, hardware and software security, link and data protection, frameworks, processes, vulnerability assessment, countermeasures at system, element and application levels including AI and Quantum
• Telecommunication and Connectivity systems and techniques
• Radio Navigation and PNT Systems and techniques, Formation Flying and RF metrology
• E2E System Comms for Telemetry, Telecommand and Payload Data Dissemination, Tracking, Ranging, Radio Science and Time Transfer functions

The responsibilities include the definition of concepts and algorithms, System/Segment/Payload-System architecture and trade-offs, performance and budgets analysis, interfaces and data flows, design and processing of signal in space, networks and protocols for the Ground to Space, Space to Space links, for RF and Optical systems.

Field(s) of activity for the internship

Topic of the internship: Experimental activities in the ESA Navigation laboratory

You will be involved in the Navigation Systems Implementation and Validation Section, contributing to the implementation of multiple algorithms, testing activities, and simulations of radionavigation systems in the frame of the following main activities:

1. Trustworthy GNSS carrier-phase-based positioning with low-cost mass-market devices

This activity spans from the implementation of statistical testing algorithms for GNSS mixed-integer models used in carrier-phase-based positioning to the validation of such models using real-world Galileo and GPS measurements from Android-based smartphones and smartwatches. The main objective is to enhance the trustworthiness of high-accuracy satellite-based positioning with low-cost GNSS sensory data and enable ambiguity-fixed solutions with a quantifiable integrity risk using bias-prone carrier-phase measurements.

Over the past decade, rapid advancements in GNSS technology have expanded its applications beyond geodetic-grade receivers into mainstream consumer electronics. The integration of multi-GNSS carrier-phase chipsets into smartphones and smartwatches has presented the potential for high-accuracy positioning capabilities. While current studies have proved that centimeter-level positioning solutions with smartphones are achievable, frequent unmodelled effects in low-cost mass-market GNSS data, if passed unnoticed, can misspecify the working measurement model, which in turn can deteriorate the achieved positioning performance. As such, integrity monitoring of the user-adopted models is essential in GNSS data processing to assess the risk associated with such outliers and to ensure high availability of precise positioning solutions.

Your primary role will be to develop, implement and test algorithmic frameworks that combine integer carrier-phase ambiguity-resolved parameter estimation with statistical hypothesis testing to ensure that the resultant positioning solutions are free from biases and lie within truthful confidence regions. You will work on integrating recursive GNSS parameter estimation and testing into an integrated scheme based on the Detection, Identification, and Adaptation (DIA) framework, exploiting the vast amount of data collected in ESA’s NavLab. The final goal is to enable the widespread use of low-cost mass-market devices in precise positioning that previously required high-grade receivers/antennas.

Your detailed tasks may include:

• Familiarisation with GNSS parameter estimation and testing in satellite-based precise positioning
• Designing and implementing DIA-estimation algorithms for low-cost precise positioning
• Processing of real-world Galileo and GPS data collected in various environments from Android-based devices
• Evaluating the performance of the implemented algorithms in terms of accuracy and reliability
• Documenting results and presenting findings to the team

2. LEO-PNT signal tracking using beamsteering techniques

This activity focuses on using Navigation laboratory simulators and hardware to simulate, track and receive LEO-PNT signals. The Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) currently are the main systems that provide PNT services worldwide. Most of the GNSS constellations are transmitting navigation signals in the L-band. However, the L-band is not the only band that has been considered for use in GNSS. Due to the new space paradigm, PNT services have been recently considered from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) due to the major benefits compared to traditional GNSS satellites that are majorly placed on the Medium Earth Orbits (MEO). Therefore, the European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a new In Orbit Demonstration (IoD) to provide a PNT demonstration from LEO satellites. The new LEO-PNT IoD satellites will provide very diverse services at multiple frequency bands, such as 5G and IoT signals for telecommunications and naturally a PNT service. The considered bands are UHF, L, S, and C frequency bands.

The high speed dynamics of the LEO satellites (complete a full earth rotation within ~90 minutes) makes monitoring those satellites using mechanically steered antennas very challenging. Accordingly, we propose the deployment of electronically steerable antennas (i.e., array antenna systems) as a solution to reduce the size and increase the robustness of the monitoring systems for LEO-PNT application.

For this task, it is considered an asset if you have knowledge of phased array antennas and beamforming techniques, experience in implementing Python to provide a user interface, and the ability to create an interface between a Python API and microcontrollers.

In successfully completing the above tasks, you will directly interact with navigation system implementation and user segment engineers on a daily basis, who will support you during the different stages of the internship. The actual tasks and apportionment of the activities will be based on your specific skills and interests.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

You must be a university student, preferably studying at master’s level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your University for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

You should also have:

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, both independently and as part of a team
• Strong skills in satellite-based positioning algorithms and programming

It is considered an asset to have knowledge and background in:

• High-precision positioning and recursive statistical testing
• Phased array antennas and beamforming techniques

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding internship conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.