The institute was founded in 1984 by Prof. Hein. From 2009 to 2016, the institute was headed by Prof. Eissfeller, since 2017 it has been headed by Prof. Pany. Over the years, a coherent research strategy has been pursued to further develop satellite navigation and to enable innovative and high-quality navigation applications by combining it with other sensors. The institute conducts theoretical studies, prototype hardware and software developments as well as application-oriented test campaigns. Navigation applications range from smartphones and autonomous driving to the search for water on the surface of Mars.

The institute currently employs around 14 scientists, most of whom are funded by third parties and come from the disciplines of geodesy, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering and physics. As an excellent emeritus professor, Prof. Eissfeller provides his expertise, particularly in leading working groups. Prof. Schüler is head of the Geodetic Fundamental Station (GOW) in Wettzell.

Main research areas:
  1. Development of a compact terrestrial pseudolite system: this complements GNSS in order to better localize highly automated systems. Technologies are used that are compatible with later use on LEO-PNT satellites (OFDM signals, meta-signal processing, high-precision synchronization to a GNSS time base).
  2. Construction of a demonstrator for high-precision differential positioning with communication satellites: This will use signals from Starlink, Iridium, LEO-PNT satellites (ATHENE1/SeRANIS) and possibly IRIS2. The demonstrator consists of a reference station at the geodetic measuring dome (Building 62) and a measuring vehicle. An indispensable inertial support is realized by means of MEMS sensors, which are calibrated both classically and by AI methods.
  3. Localization of interferers in GNSS frequency bands: This is done via a payload in the ATHENE1 satellite from SeRANIS. The institute is responsible for designing all the hardware, the operating concept and the test plans. Once the satellite has been launched, the data is analyzed using the institute's own software.
  4. NavWar studies: The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how GNSS signals can be jammed or falsified and how to protect against this. One focus is on the design of robust RF front-ends for high-quality signal digitization. Other essential elements are inertial support and multi-element antennas.

A significant part of today's Galileo signal structure was developed at the institute some 20 years ago and is used by more than 4 billion people by early 2025, mainly via cell phones. ISTA represents the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV) in various Galileo working groups of the European Commission in Brussels. The contributions are coordinated with the DLR Space Administration, departments of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and other German Galileo stakeholders. Future navigation signals are being investigated, new signal structures are proposed and the Galileo signal quality is monitored in collaboration with the geodetic fundamental station in Wettzell (GOW). This work is of great importance in view of the LEO-PNT discussion and the further development of the Galileo PRS service. Galileo offers innovative services such as the High Accuracy Service (HAS) and the authentication services OSNMA/SAS, which are being evaluated at the Institute in order to generate proposals for further development. The extension of classic GNSS systems to include components in low earth orbit (LEO-PNT) is also being parametrically investigated and critically discussed.

Software radio technology forms the basis for research activities to implement new GNSS receiver architectures or to optimize sensor fusion between GNSS and IMU. The institute can generate all current and planned GNSS signals, broadcast them via UAV-based test platforms and optimize their use for high-precision and robust positioning. The GNSS software receiver developed at the institute since 2003 is considered a world leader. Various inertial sensors - from a ring laser gyro to MEMS IMUs - are used for R&D at the institute. A three axis turn table is available with a pointing accuracy of 2 arc-seconds to calibrate IMUs. A number of IMU simulators and data processing software packages complement the inertial tool chain.

In addition to research and teaching, the institute organizes the annual Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, an international conference with top-class speakers from politics, business and science. The institute is also involved in the ESA's NAVITEC conference and the IEEE/ION-PLANS conference.

In teaching, the institute covers the following topics: Global Navigation Satellite Systems, differential GNSS (incl. RTK/PPP), GNSS/INS integration, GNSS in aerospace, cryptographic methods in GNSS as well as space weather and gravity field in the aerospace engineering course.