GPS Modernization

GPS Modernization

GPS Modernization
GPS (Global Positioning System) is
everywhere these days. Once the jealously
guarded domain of the military, it now helps
even granny find her way to market.

GPS Modernization
& Other Notable Events
"Selective Availability" was turned off 1
May 2000
One of the main components of
modernization is two new navigation
signals
that will be available for civil use. In
addition power levels will be raised.
The first of these new signals will be
available beginning with the GPS Block

 IIF satellites launched in 2003. The

other signal will be available on
GPS Block IIF satellites scheduled for
launch in 2006.
At the current GPS satellite
replenishment rate, all three civil
signals will be
available for initial operational
capability by 2010, and for full
operational
capability by approximately 2013.

GLONASS
24 satellite system similar to GPS,
established by the USSR (now
Russian Federation).
Several GPS+Glonass receivers
have been developed by companies.
Fully operational in 1996, but now
only 8 functioning satellites.
3 new satellites launched on 13
October 2000.

Initiative of the
EU, supported by
ESA, to build a
European/Global
GNSS that
'challenges' GPS.
Operational by
2008!

 30 satellites.
Three levels of
'service': fee-based
to 'guarantee'
certain level of
performance (e.g.
for aviation users),
plus free service(s)
to match GPS.

Private-public

partnership, in
contrast to U.S.
military
control/manageme
nt of GPS.

GPS Competition?
What are the implications?
'Robust' competition leads to
better service & technology.
Opportunities for integrated
receivers.
Independent positioning systems.
Improved integrity for crucial
'safety-of-life applications.

 Lessens the need for some

augmentations, such as
DGPS.
Improved positioning
performance due to increased
number of signals-in-the-sky.
'Positioning' becomes an
icreasingly commonplace
capability.

Japan's Stratospheric
Airship Concept

Navigation & Personal

Personal or car locator,
Emergencies
connected to coms link.
Conscious or
unconscious request for
assistance.
Tracking mode, or
autonomous location.
'Enhanced calls from
mobilephones will
provide position
information to
dispatcher.

New Developments
A new method for navigation at sea,
independent of GPS, is being put forward in a
dissertation from Linkoping University.
Today merchant marine, military, and
recreational boat traffic all rely on the global
satellite system GPS to determine their position
at sea. But sometimes information from the
system is incorrect. Poor visibility or lax
attention can then spell disaster.

New Developments
can be jammed, either unintentionally or
intentionally. Signals from the satellites can be
interfered with by ice build-up on the vessel's
antennas, by other communication equipment, or
by physical obstacles. Submarines cannot usually
use the system.
Vulnerable to high power microwaves??

New Developments
This technology, unique in the world, requires no
external infrastructure and is not susceptible to
interference. Instead, the vessel's own radar is
used to measure the distance to surrounding
shores, and this data is then compared with a
digital sea chart. In a submarine, information from
sonar equipment is compared with a digital depth
chart. In combination with data about the
movement of the vessel, the correct position can
be calculated.

New Developments
The method is based on a mathematical algorithm,
a so-called particle filter, which is installed as a
program in the vessel's computer system. There is
no need for any further hardware to be installed
beyond what is already on board. Preliminary
trials show that the method works just as well as
GPS in navigating an archipelago.

New Developments
The dissertation Particle Filtering for
Positioning and Tracking Applications deals
with several other uses of the same
principle: positioning industrial robots,
tracking vehicles from another vehicle to
avoid collisions, and tracking boats and
ships from an airplane.