AGGA-4 – Core device for GNSS space-receivers of the next decade

The development of the first AGGA (Advanced GPS/GLONASS ASIC) device was initiated within ESA’s Earth Observation Preparatory Programme (EOPP) in order to support the Earth observation applications of navigation signals. After prototyping iterations, the flight component known as AGGA-2 was manufactured under Atmel product code T7905E [0]. The AGGA-2 is a space-qualified digital integrated circuit providing all the high-speed digital signal processing functionality for EO applications such as atmospheric sounding with radio occultation (RO) [2] and precise orbit determination (POD) of Low Earth orbiters for gravity field determination, altimetry, SAR interferometry, etc. The AGGA-2 design includes novel techniques for which international patents were assigned to the Agency.