Simple approach to determining parameters of noncommensurate sampling for optimal pseudo-noise code phase delay discrimination

Noncommensurate sampling is an effective solution for improving the tracking performance of digital code tracking loops. So far there has been a lack of a generalised method for designing the parameters of this sampling scenario. A simple approach to choosing the parameters of noncommensurate sampling is presented, which is based on the analysis of the quantitative relationship among the chip phase delay discrimination, the sampling ratio and the correlation length. Numerical and simulation results show that optimal phase delay discrimination and thereby superior tracking accuracy can be achieved with the proposed approach. This approach is especially suitable for precision ranging applications, and can be extended to other applications involving accurate signal tracking in digital equipment.