Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
Aroused by the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) waiver of limits on ancillary terrestrial components (ATCs) for LightSquared’s proposed 40,000-transmitter network, representatives from a wide variety of industries and companies announced today (March 10, 2011) formation of the “Coalition to Save Our GPS.”
By Inside GNSS
Despite the fact that China’s rapidly developing global navigation satellite system now has seven spacecraft in orbit intermittently broadcasting test signals, it is the only GNSS provider that has not yet published a draft version of its interface control document (ICD), although one has reportedly been completed for more than a year.
Against that background, any new source of information about the directions of the Compass design — official, semi-official, or other — draws special attention.
By Inside GNSS
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsAttorneys for LightSquared Subsidiary LLC submitted a proposed work plan on Friday (February 25, 2011) for analyzing potential interference to GPS devices. The plan, required by the FCC as a condition of its granting a waiver to its Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) rule for mobile satellite services (MSS), proposes to establish a working group (WG) to study the GPS overload/desensitization.
By Inside GNSS
Space and Missile Systems Center (LA AFB photo)The 11th GPS Partnership Council meeting will take place on May 3 and 4, 2011 at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. It is located about four miles south of the Los Angeles Airport.
These military and industry networking meetings are sponsored by the Los Angeles chapter of AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association) and the USAF GPS Wing.
This year’s theme is T "Executing Modernization… Enabling New Paths and Beyond."
By Inside GNSS
Home Page of New IAC WebsiteThe Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has launched a new version of its Information-Analytical Center (IAC) website, probably the best-known and most-used source for real-time information on the GLONASS constellation.
Currently operating in test mode, the site may be accessed at <http://new.glonass-iac.ru/en/index.php>. Among the new features of the IAC website are an interactive access to the GLONASS ftp-archive (the “Archive” section) and a new section with reference information (the “Guide”).
By Inside GNSS
Website at http://www.jammer-store.com/gps-blockers-jammers.htmlThe Enforcement Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has announced new efforts to clamp down on the marketing, sale, and use of illegal cell phone and GPS jamming devices.
On February 9, the Bureau released two enforcement advisories and a downloadable poster on cell phone and GPS jamming that warn consumers, manufacturers, and retailers (including online and Web-only companies) that the marketing, sale, or use of such jamming devices is illegal.
By Inside GNSS
H102 GPS CompassHemisphere GPS has announced an OEM alliance with a Chinese manufacturer of agricultural, construction, and power machinery equipment as well as the release of two compact GPS compass products.
The Calgary, Alberta, Canada–based company’s alliance with YTO Group Corporation, headquartered in Luoyang City, China, is part of Hemisphere GPS’s to expand its operations in the international realm.
By Inside GNSS
NovAtel SMART-MR15NovAtel Inc. has released its new SMART-MR15 product, a dual-frequency receiver/antenna combination with an integrated cellular modem.
By Inside GNSS
Pendulum GSG-55 SimulatorSpectracom has announced its new 16-channel GPS constellation simulator, the Pendulum GSG-55.
The latest in the Pendulum line of GPS receiver test instruments, the GSG-55 is able to simulate Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), such as the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS).
By Inside GNSS
Spirent Communications’ Positioning Technology Division, Paignton, UK, has announced that the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has selected Spirent’s GSS8000 Multi-GNSS Constellation Simulator to support further development of the Quazi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) program.
Responsible for the development of the initial QZSS user equipment, JAXA is using the GSS8000 to verify QZSS receiver performance.
By Inside GNSS
In his State of the Union address on January 25, President Obama held up the Global Positioning System as a prime example of government providing “cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need” to create world-leading, job-creating innovation.
The following day, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) International Bureau approved a conditional waiver allowing LightSquared Subsidiary LLC to build tens of thousands of terrestrial transmitters for wireless communications in frequencies on either side of the GPS L1 band.
By Inside GNSS
Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory (CHIL) illustration (Lockheed Martin)GPS III contractor Lockheed Martin has integrated several virtual reality technologies in a new Collaborative Human Immersive Laboratory (CHIL) in Littleton, Colorado, which will be used to validate and test next-generation GPS and other space programs.
With CHIL, Engineers and technicians can explore satellite designs and functions, troubleshoot and fine-tune them in a virtual world before building them in physical space.
By Inside GNSS
