This letter unveils the unknown structure of Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites' orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-like reference signals (RSs). The spectrum of Starlink's downlink signals is presented, and the frame length is estimated. A blind receiver is proposed, which acquires via a sequential generalized likelihood ratio test multiple satellites, estimates their RSs and respective Doppler, and tracks their carrier and code phases. Experimental results are presented showing six tracked Starlink LEO satellites, three of which transmitted pure tones, whereas the other transmitted OFDM-like signals. The achieved horizontal positioning error with the six satellites was 6.5 m.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Unveiling Starlink LEO Satellite OFDM-Like Signal Structure Enabling Precise Positioning


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2024-04-01


    Size :

    1174086 byte




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Unveiling Starlink for PNT

    Sharbel Kozhaya / Joe Saroufim / Zaher (Zak) M. Kassas | DOAJ | 2025

    Free access

    First Results of Differential Doppler Positioning with Unknown Starlink Satellite Signals

    Neinavaie, Mohammad / Shadram, Zeinab / Kozhaya, Sharbel et al. | IEEE | 2022


    Satellite Telemetry and Return Link (STARLink)

    Andrew Roberts / Claude Hashem | NTRS | 1995


    Signal Structure of the Starlink Ku-Band Downlink

    Humphreys, Todd E. / Iannucci, Peter A. / Komodromos, Zacharias M. et al. | IEEE | 2023


    The First Carrier Phase Tracking and Positioning Results With Starlink LEO Satellite Signals

    Khalife, Joe / Neinavaie, Mohammad / Kassas, Zaher Zak | IEEE | 2022