Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
The nation’s leading GPS experts voted unanimously Monday to oppose allowing Ligado Networks to use spectrum neighboring the GPS band for terrestrial communications.
By Dee Ann Divis
Solutions to toughen receivers (make them more resistant to jamming and spoofing), and to augment GPS signals with those from other sources, will require either replacement or modification of existing equipment.
By Inside GNSS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct demonstrations of GPS receivers this fall to support the buying plans of first responders, the Coast Guard and other agencies within DHS. The tests aim to clarify how well the receivers stand up to jamming and spoofing while being used on small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS or drones) for maritime missions.
By Dee Ann Divis
Senate Seeks Report on OCX Alternative
Both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee have now passed their spending bills, largely agreeing with the White House and their House counterparts on funding levels for the GPS program with the exceptions of nearly tripling the House cut to the GPS IIIF program and taking a shot across the bow of the new GPS ground system.
By Dee Ann Divis
Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division announced that it will highlight its family of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-based modules and LRU solutions designed for system integrators seeking to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy Assured Position, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) services at the 2018 Joint Navigation Conference, July 9-11 (Booth #109), the largest U.S. military Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) conference of the year with joint service and government participation.
By Inside GNSS
When talking to J. David Grossman, the new executive director of the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA), one word comes up quite often: excited.
By Stan Goff
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting 5 Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) navigation payload, developed by Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services business, is now operational and fully integrated into the WAAS network. The GEO 5 payload joins two others already on orbit in correcting GPS satellite signal ionospheric disturbances, timing issues, and minor orbit adjustments, giving users increased coverage, improved accuracy, and better reliability.
By Inside GNSS
Over at least half a dozen years the GPS III Follow On program has taken a number of dramatic turns only to wind up, in true soap opera fashion, with the same leading characters headed to the altar.
At the end of the latest episode, the field of suitors for the multi-billion-dollar GPS IIIF contract narrowed suddenly in April when two of the three corporate hopefuls abruptly left the field.
By Dee Ann Divis
The issue at hand is whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should allow a change in the use of frequencies close to those used by GPS. Virginia-based Ligado Networks wants to repurpose its satellite frequencies to also support ground-based telecom services. Testing done several years ago and expanded upon more recently has shown such a system could seriously interfere with GPS receivers.
Some three months after a meeting of the key federal agencies using and running the GPS program, they have yet to release a letter stating their recommendation on whether to allow the development of a potentially interfering telecommunication service.
By Dee Ann Divis
NavtechGPS Spring GPS/GNSS Training Seminars will take place at the Hyatt House Falls Church/Merrifield in Virginia/Washington D.C. area. These courses are taught by some of the top technical professionals in the industry. All courses can be taught on-site at students’ locations — select a specific class or a combination of classes to
By Inside GNSS
The GPS Innovation Alliance has announced the appointment of J. “David” Grossman as executive director. Grossman will lead the Alliance as it further builds its organizational presence in Washington on behalf of its members and the GNSS industry as a whole.
“David’s appointment ushers in an exciting new chapter for our organization” said Jim Kirkland, president of the GPS Innovation Alliance and senior vice president and general counsel of Trimble Inc.
By Inside GNSS
Nearly a year later than expected, federal officials have published the final report of a study on the power levels GPS receivers can tolerate from activities in neighboring bands — a key factor in the kind of new applications that could be approved for those nearby frequencies.
By Dee Ann Divis
A new watchdog report says the Air Force has yet to develop full cost estimates for the new ground system and user equipment essential for utilizing the expanded capabilities of the upcoming GPS III generation of satellites.
The Government Accountably Office (GAO) said in its annual assessment of weapons systems for Congress that the Air Force is still developing a final budget number and schedule for the Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX). OCX is necessary for implementing the new military M-code among other enhancements.
By Dee Ann Divis
