A: System Categories

GIOVE-B in tests-lowRez.jpg
January 6, 2008

Galileo’s GIOVE-B to Launch April 14

The first Galileo experimental satellite, which marked its second anniversary in space on December 28, may soon have company.

Designated the Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element–A (GIOVE-A) satellite, the spacecraft has been broadcasting a variety of signals since January 2006, using on-board rubidium clocks for time-tagging signal transmissions. Now, GIOVE-B — the larger second experimental satellite, which will carry one hydrogen maser and two rubidium clocks, is nearing readiness for transfer to the Russian Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan.

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By Glen Gibbons
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Russia’s Home-Grown GLONASS-GPS Receiver

Russia’s Home-Grown GLONASS-GPS Receiver

What may be the first domestically produced, consumer-oriented GLONASS-GPS receiver, sold out shortly after their introduction in Russia’s Ion retail stores.

The Glospace SGK-70 features a 12-channel GLONASS receiver and a 20-channel GPS receiver, which can reportedly use either or both systems simultaneously. Designed primarily for in-vehicle use, the 7.4×4.7×1.2-inch unit incorporates Samsung components has an SD/MMC slot and comes with a 512MB card that includes detailed maps of the Moscow area.

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By Glen Gibbons
India’s GAGAN Passes Its Final Test
January 3, 2008

India’s GAGAN Passes Its Final Test

The Raytheon Company has announced that it successfully completed the final system acceptance test to augment standard GPS signals over India.

GAGAN stands for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation-Technology Demonstration System. It monitors GPS satellite signals for errors and then generates correction messages to improve positioning accuracy for users.

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By Glen Gibbons
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DoD Issues ‘Roadmap’ for Unmanned Systems

A 25-year (2007-2032) U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) roadmap for unmanned systems reflects the critical contribution of GPS technology in a growth area for tactical military systems that are simultaneously seeking a compatible place in civil applications and the national air space.

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By Glen Gibbons
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NXP Semiconductors to Buy GloNav
December 21, 2007

NXP Semiconductors to Buy GloNav

NXP Semiconductors has announced plans to acquire GloNav Inc., a US-based fabless GNSS semiconductor company, for $85 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008, subject to regulatory approvals.

According to NXP, the company plans on integrating GloNav’s GPS technology with NXP’s expertise in Bluetooth, FM radio, and USB “to offer a broader connectivity suite to the mobile phone market.”

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By Glen Gibbons
Additional GPS IIR-M Satellite Launched, Quickly Begins Transmitting
December 19, 2007

Additional GPS IIR-M Satellite Launched, Quickly Begins Transmitting

The U.S. Air Force launched the fifth modernized GPS Block II Replenishment (IIR-M) satellite at 3:04 p.m. EST (20:04 UTC) December 20 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, (December 20) aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Air Force controllers set the spacecraft to "healthy" status on January 2, in what is probably a record time of 13 days.

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By Glen Gibbons
GPS Wing Exercises MUE Contract Options

GPS Wing Exercises MUE Contract Options

The U.S. Air Force has exercised new options on contracts with three companies for development of GPS Modernized User Equipment (MUE) for future military applications.

Under the new awards, Raytheon will receive $65 million; Rockwell Collins, $50.7 million; and L-3/Interstate Electronics Corporation, $36 million. All options were awarded on or about October 19.

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By Glen Gibbons
Atheros Communications Buys u-Nav
December 14, 2007

Atheros Communications Buys u-Nav

Continuing a trend of GPS technology acquisitions designed to facilitate mixed technology wireless products, Atheros Communications has announced a definitive agreement to buy the assets of u-Nav Microelectronics, an Irvine, California–based fabless GPS semiconductor company.

Atheros, with headquarters in Santa Clara, California, is a nine-year-old developer of wireless semiconductor products, including 802.11 standard-based wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, and personal handy-phone system (PHS) equipment.

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By Glen Gibbons
China to Reveal Compass Plans ‘Soon’
December 10, 2007

China to Reveal Compass Plans ‘Soon’

Liao Xiaohan, Deputy Director-General of High & New Technology Development and Industrialization, MOST

China will release details of its Compass (or Beidou 2) program “soon,” including an Interface Control Document (ICD) for the GNSS system’s open civil service and a launch schedule for additional satellites, according to representatives of the China Satellite Navigation Engineering Center speaking at the Shanghai Navigation Forum (NaviForum) in Shanghai on Thursday and Friday (December 6-7).

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By Glen Gibbons
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