Minggu, 24 April 2011

Kapal keruk

Kapal Keruk atau dalam bahasa Inggris sering disebut dredger merupakan kapal yang memiliki peralatan khusus untuk melakukan pengerukan. Kapal ini dibuat untuk memenuhi kebutuhan, baik dari suatu pelabuhan, alur pelayaran, ataupun industri lepas pantai, agar dapat bekerja sebagaimana halnya alat-alat levelling yang ada di darat seperti excavator dan Buldoser.
Ada beberapa jenis kapal keruk diantaranya adalah:
Sebuah TSHD membuang material dari hopper, jenis pembuangan ini disebut rainbowing, digunakan untuk melakukan reklamasi

Daftar isi

[sunting] Kapal keruk penghisap / Suction dredgers

Beroperasi dengan menghisap material melalui pipa panjang seperti vacuum cleaner. Jenis ini terdiri dari beberapa tipe.

 Trailing suction hopper dredger

Trailling suction hopper dredger
Sebuah trailing suction hopper dredger atau TSHD menyeret pipa penghisap ketika bekerja, dan mengisi material yang diisap tersebut ke satu atau beberapa penampung (hopper) di dalam kapal. Ketika penampung suda penuh, TSHD akan berlayar ke lokasi pembuangan dan membuang material tersebut melalui pintu yang ada di bawah kapal atau dapat pula memompa material tersebut ke luar kapal. TSHD terbesar di dunia adalah milik perusahaan Belgia yaitu Jan De Nul TSHD. Vasco Da Gama (33.000 m3 penampung, 37,060 kW total tenaga yang ada) dan perusahaan Belanda Boskalis TSHD. W.D. Fairway (35.000 m3 penampung).
PT Pengerukan Indonesia memiliki pula kapal keruk jenis ini seperti TSHD. Halmahera dan TSHD. Irian Jaya. Digunakan untuk melakukan maintenance dredging di pelabuhan-pelabuhan seluruh Indonesia.

 Cutter-suction dredger

Cutter-suction dredger
Di sebuah cutter-suction dredger atau CSD, tabung penghisap memiliki kepala pemotong di pintu masuk penghisap. Pemotong dapat pula digunakan untuk material keras seperti kerikil atau batu. Material yang dikeruk biasanya diisap oleh pompa pengisap sentrifugal dan dikeluarkan melalui pipa atau ke tongkang. CSD dengan pemotong yang lebih kuat telah dibangun beberapa tahun terakhir, digunakan untuk memotong batu tapi peledakan. CSD memiliki dua buah spud can di bagian belakang serta dua jangkar di bagian depan kiri dan kanan. Spud can berguna sebagai poros bergerak CSD, dua jangkar untuk menarik ke kiri dan kanan.
Dua CSD terbesar di dunia adalah CSD milik Dredging International CSD D'Artagnan (28.200 kW) dan Jan De Nul CSD J.F.J. DeNul (27.240 kW).

 Bucket dredger

Bucket dredger adalah jenis tertua dari suatu kapal keruk. Biasanya dilengkapi dengan beberapa alat seperti timba / bucket yang bergerak secara simultan untuk mengangkat sedimen dari dasar air. Varian dari Bucket dredger ini adalah Bucket Wheel Dredger.
Beberapa Bucket dredger dan Grab dredger cukup kuat untuk mengeruk dan mengangkat karang agar dapat membuat alur pelayaran.
Backhoe Dredger
Bucket dredger masih dipergunakan untuk penambangan bijih timah di Provinsi Bangka Belitung dan Kepulauan Riau yang dioperasikan oleh PT Timah Tbk.

 Backhoe/dipper dredge

Backhoe/dipper dredger memiliki sebuah backhoe seperti excavator. Backhoe dredger dapat pula menggunakan excavator untuk darat, diletakkan di atas tongkang. Biasanya backhoe dredger ini memiliki tiga buah spudcan, yaitu tiang yang berguna sebagai pengganti jangkar agar kapal tidak bergerak, dan pada backhoe dredger yang high-tech, hanya memerlukan satu orang untuk mengoperasikannya.
Dua backhoe dredger terbesar di dunia adalah milik dari Bean L.L.C. yaitu TAURACAVOR dan milik dari Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. yaitu NEW YORK. Keduanya dilengkapi dengan Excavator Liebherr 996.

 Water injection dredger

Skema dari Water injection dredger
Water injection dredger menembakkan air di dalam sebuah jet kecil bertekanan rendah (tekanan rendah karena material seharusnya tidak bertebaran kemanapun, karena harus secara hati-hati agar material dapat dipindah) ke sedimen di dasar air agar air dapat mengikat sedimen sehingga melayang di air, selanjutnya di dorong oleh arus dan gaya berat keluar dari lokasi pengerukan. Biasanya digunakan untuk maintenance dredging di pelabuhan. Beberapa pihak menyatakan bahwa WID adalah bukan pengerukan sementara pihak lain menyatakan sebaliknya.
Hal ini terjadi karena pengukuran yang seksama harus dibuat untuk mengukur kedalaman air, sedangkan beberapa alat ukur untuk itu (seperti singlebeam echosounder) kesulitan untuk mendapat hasil yang akurat dan harus menggunakan alat ukur yang lebih mahal (multibeam echosounder) untuk mendapat hasil ukuran yang lebih baik.

Kapal dingin beku

Kapal dingin beku merupakan kapal fungsional yang digunakan oleh nelayan yang dipakai untuk membekukan ikan hasil tangkapan langsung di kapalnya untuk menjaga kesegaran ikan.
Selain itu, beberapa kapal juga langsung dilengkapi dengan pengolah ikan sehingga sesampai di pelabuhan, ikan hasil tangkapannya dapat langsung dikonsumsi.

Tongkang


Ponton di dermaga apung Kamal, Jawa Timur
Suatu kapal ponton boat kecil untuk wisata, yang dibangun dari antara dua ponton yang dipadukan
Tongkang atau Ponton adalah suatu kapal yang dengan lambung datar atau suatu kotak besar yang mengapung, digunakan untuk mengangkut barang dan ditarik dengan kapal tunda atau digunakan untuk mengakomodasi pasang-surut seperti pada dermaga apung.
Ponton digunakan juga untuk mengangkut mobil menyeberangi sungai, didaerah yang belum memiliki jembatan. Sangat banyak digunakan pada tahun 1960an, 70an dan 80an di jalur lintas Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua. Sekarang sebagian besar sudah diganti dengan jembatan.
Untuk keperluan wisata, ponton juga masih digunakan. Untuk meningkatkan kestabilan kapal biasanya digunakan dua ponton yang digabungkan secara paralel.

Tugboat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tugboats assisting a ship on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal
A tugboat (tug) is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal, or those that cannot move themselves alone, such as barges, disabled ships, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for their size and strongly built; some are ocean-going. Some tugboats serve as icebreakers or salvage boats. Early tugboats had steam engines; today diesel engines are used. In addition to towing gear, many tugboats contain firefighting monitors or guns, allowing them to assist in firefighting duties, especially in harbors.

Contents

 Types of tugboats

Swedish harbour-tug Svitzer Freja in tug-operation
(3,600 kW / 453 gross register tons (GRT))
German harbour-tug and cargo ship Karl Marx at Rostock harbour
The tugboat Matthew Tibbets in New York Harbor with Ellis Island in the background
Seagoing tugboats are in three basic categories:
  1. The standard seagoing tugboat with model bow that tows its "payload" on a hawser.
  2. The "notch tug" which can be secured in a notch at the stern of a specially designed barge, effectively making the combination a ship. This configuration, however, is dangerous to use with a barge which is "in ballast" (no cargo) or in a head or following sea. Therefore, the "notch tugs" are usually built with a towing winch. With this configuration, the barge being pushed might approach the size of a small ship, the interaction of the water flow allows a higher speed with a minimal increase in power required or fuel consumption.
  3. The "integral unit," "integrated tug and barge," or "ITB," comprises specially designed vessels that lock together in such a rigid and strong method as to be certified as such by authorities (classification societies) such as the American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Indian Register of Shipping, Det Norske Veritas or several others. These units stay combined under virtually any sea conditions and the "tugs" usually have poor sea keeping designs for navigation without their "barges" attached. Vessels in this category are legally considered to be ships rather than tugboats and barges must be staffed accordingly. Such vessels must show navigation lights compliant with those required of ships rather than those required of tugboats and vessels under tow. Articulated tug and barge units also utilize mechanical means to connect to their barges. ATB's generally utilize Intercon and Bludworth connection systems. Other available systems include Articouple, Hydraconn and Beacon Jak. ATB's are generally staffed as a large tugboat, with between seven to nine crew members. The typical American ATB operating on the east coast, per custom, displays navigational lights of a towing vessel pushing ahead, as described in the '72 COLREGS.
Harbor tugs. Historically tugboats were the first seagoing vessels to receive steam propulsion, freedom from the restraint of the wind, and capability of going in any direction. As such, they were employed in harbors to assist ships in docking and departure.
River tugs River tugs are also referred to as towboats or pushboats. Their hull designs would make open ocean operations dangerous. River tugs usually do not have any significant hawser or winch. Their hulls feature a flat front or bow to line up with the rectangular stern of the barge.

 Tugboat propulsion

Tugboat engines typically produce 500 to 2,500 kW (~ 680 to 3,400 hp), but larger boats (used in deep waters) can have power ratings up to 20,000 kW (~ 27,200 hp) and usually have an extreme power:tonnage-ratio (normal cargo and passenger ships have a P:T-ratio (in kW:GRT) of 0.35 to 1.20, whereas large tugs typically are 2.20 to 4.50 and small harbour-tugs 4.0 to 9.5). The engines are often the same as those used in railroad locomotives, but typically drive the propeller mechanically instead of converting the engine output to power electric motors, as is common for railroad engines. For safety, tugboats' engines often feature two of each critical part for redundancy.[1]
A tugboat's power is typically stated by its engine's horsepower and its overall bollard pull.
Diagram with components named
Tugboats are highly maneuverable, and various propulsion systems have been developed to increase maneuverability and increase safety. The earliest tugs were fitted with paddle wheels, but these were soon replaced by propeller-driven tugs. Kort nozzles have been added to increase thrust per kW/hp. This was followed by the nozzle-rudder, which omitted the need for a conventional rudder. The cycloidal propeller was developed prior to World War II and was occasionally used in tugs because of its maneuverability. After World War II it was also linked to safety due to the development of the Voith Water Tractor, a tugboat configuration which could not be pulled over by its tow. In the late 1950s, the Z-drive or (azimuth thruster) was developed. Although sometimes referred to as the Schottel system, many brands exist: Schottel, Z-Peller, Duckpeller, Thrustmaster, Ulstein, Wärtsilä, etc. The propulsion systems are used on tugboats designed for tasks such as ship docking and marine construction. Conventional propeller/rudder configurations are more efficient for port-to-port towing.
The Kort nozzle is a sturdy cylindrical structure around a special propeller having minimum clearance between the propeller blades and the inner wall of the Kort nozzle. The thrust:power ratio is enhanced because the water approaches the propeller in a linear configuration and exits the nozzle the same way. The Kort nozzle is named after its inventor, but many brands exist.
A recent Dutch innovation is the Carousel Tug, winner of the Maritime Innovation Award at the Dutch Maritime Innovation Awards Gala in 2006.[2] The Carousel Tug adds a pair of interlocking rings to the body of the tug, the inner ring attached to the boat, with the outer ring attached to the towed ship by winch or towing hook. Since the towing point rotates freely, the tug is very difficult to capsize.[3]
The Voith Schneider propeller (VSP), also known as a cycloidal drive is a specialized marine propulsion system. It is highly maneuverable, being able to change the direction of its thrust almost instantaneously. It is widely used on tugs and ferries.
From a circular plate, rotating around a vertical axis, a circular array of vertical blades (in the shape of hydrofoils) protrude out of the bottom of the ship. Each blade can rotate itself around a vertical axis. The internal gear changes the angle of attack of the blades in sync with the rotation of the plate, so that each blade can provide thrust in any direction, very similar to the collective pitch control and cyclic in a helicopter.

 Tugboats in fiction

To date there have been three children's shows revolving around anthropomorphic (living) tugboats. In the late 1980s, 13 episodes were made of TUGS. It had an American spinoff called Salty's Lighthouse. One of the creators of that series went on to make Theodore Tugboat. On Tugs, the models were able to move their heads and eyes and didn't have motors. On Theodore Tugboat, the models have motors and moving eyes.
Little Toot (1939) is a children's story that tells the story of an anthropomorphic tugboat child, who wants to help tow ships in a harbour near Hoboken. He's rejected by the tugboat community and dejectedly drifts out to sea, where he accidentally discovers a shipwrecked liner and a chance to prove his worth.
The children's book Scuffy the Tugboat, first published in 1946 as part of the Little Golden Books series, follows the adventures of a young toy tugboat who seeks a life beyond the confines of a tub inside his owner's toy store.
The Dutch writer Jan de Hartog wrote numerous nautical novels, first in Dutch, then in English. The novel Hollands glorie, written prior to World War II, was made into a Dutch miniseries in 1978, concerned the dangers faced by the crews of Dutch tug salvage tugs.[4][5] The novella Stella, concerning the dangers faced by the captains of rescue tugs in the English Channel during World War II, was made into a film entitled The Key in 1958.[6] The novel The Captain, about the captain of a rescue tug during a Murmansk Convoy, sold over a million copies.[7] Its sequel, The Commodore, features the narrator captaining a fleet of tugs in peace-time.
Canadian writer Farley Mowat wrote the book The Grey Seas Under telling the tale of a legendary North Atlantic salvage tug, the Foundation Franklin. He later wrote The Serpent's Coil which also deals with salvage tugs in the North Atlantic.
Tugboat Annie was the subject of a series of Saturday Evening Post magazine stories featuring the character of a female captain of the tugboat Narcissus in Puget Sound, later featured in the films Tugboat Annie (1933), Tugboat Annie Sails Again (1940) and Captain Tugboat Annie (1945). The Canadian television series The Adventures of Tugboat Annie was filmed in 1957.

 Tugboat Races

Tugboat races are held annually on Elliott Bay in Seattle,[8] on the Hudson River at the New York Tugboat Race,[9] the Detroit River.[10] and the St. Mary's River[11]

 Gallery

 See also

 References

  1. ^ Bilinski, Marcie B.: "The Workhorse of the Waterways" Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Coastlines 2007
  2. ^ "Novatug.nl news". Novatug. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  3. ^ "Novatug.nl product information". Novatug. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  4. ^ "Hollands glorie". IMDb. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  5. ^ Mel Gussow (September 24, 2002). "Jan de Hartog, 88, Author of His Own Life". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  6. ^ "The Key". IMDb. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  7. ^ "Hartog, Jan De [1914 - 2002"]. New York State Library. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  8. ^ Port of Seattle
  9. ^ "In search of the toughest tug," by laurel Graeber, New York Times, aug. 29th 2008.
  10. ^ www.tugrace.com
  11. ^ The Great Tugboat Race
  • Jane's Ocean Technology 1979-80 / Jane's Yearbooks, 1979 - ISBN 0 531 03902 1.
  • On Tugboats: Stories of Work and Life Aboard / Virginia Thorndike - Down East Books, 2004.
  • Under Tow: A Canadian History of Tugs and Towing / Donal Baird - Vanwell Publishing, 277 p., 2003 - ISBN 1551250764
  • Primer of Towing / George H. Reid - Cornell Maritime Press, 1992.
  • South Park- Episode 83, Russell Crowe Beats people up around the world and has a tugboat as a companion.

 External links

Jumat, 01 April 2011

Verifikasi Ujian ANKAPIN II Pada Program Keahlian Nautika Perikanan Laut di SUPM Negeri Bone PDF Print E-mail
Written by Tri Setianto, S.St.Pi (ketua Program Keahlian NPL)   
Tuesday, 04 May 2010 11:55
Program Keahlian Nautika Laut sesuai dengan visinya yaitu mencetak tenaga Ahli Nautika Kapal Penangkap Ikan tingkat II yang mana nantinya  bekerja di atas kapal penangkap Ikan. Tahun ajaran 2009/2010 SUPM Negeri Bone telah memiliki
siswa kelas III pada Program Keahlian Nautika Perikanan Laut. Sebagai upaya untuk membekali calon lulusannya, maka akan dilaksanakn Ujian Sertifikasi Ahli Nautika Kapal Penangkap Ikan tingkat II yang akan dilaksanakan pada bulan Mei 2010 ini. Namun tidak semua sekolah dapat mengikuti ujian ini, karena harus sudah dinyatakan telah di Verifikasi oleh Dewan Penguji Keahlian Pelaut(DPKP) bidang Pelaut Perikanan. Di seluruh Indonesia, menurut Ketua DPKP Bidang Pelaut Perikanan baru 13 SMK Kelautan dan Perikanan milik Kementerian Pendidikan Nasional yang telah di Verifikasi untuk mengikuti ujian dari seratus lebih SMK . Sejumlah   8 SUPM yang ada milik Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan telah diverifikasi dan dinyatakan dapat mengikuti Ujian dengan tempat ujian dapat dilaksanakan  sekolah tersebut. SUPM Negeri Bone merupakan salah satu dari kedelapan SUPM yang telah diverifikasi.

Verifikasi merupakan syarat yang diwajibkan oleh Internatinal Mariteme Organization(IMO) sebelum suatu sekolah melaksanakan ujian Setifikasi Keahlian Pelaut. Di dalam materi Verifikasi mensyaratkan suatu sekolah harus memenuhi standar minimum IMO yaitu pada Pengajar, Kurikulum, dan Sarana dan Prasarana.

Standar minimum untuk pengajarnya adalah minimal 4(empat) orang yang harus mamiliki sertifikat Keahlian Pelaut minimal satu tingkat diatas dari peserta didik dalam hal ini adalah ANKAPIN I karena peserta didiknya calon ANKAPIN II. Pada Program Keahlian NPL di SUPM N Bone telah memenuhi karena telah memiliki 4 (empat) pengajar pemegang ANKAPIN II, 1(satu) orang ATKAPIN I , ditambah TOT IMO Model Course 6.09 dan 3.12 satu orang.

Kurikulum harus sesuai dengan kurikulum ANKAPIN II, di SUPM kurikulum yang dipakai adalah kurikulum SUPM tahun 2007 yang didalamnya telah  mencakup materi ANKAPIN II ditambah beberapa materi tambahan lainnya. Sarana dan Prasarana yang disyaratkan merupakan harus wajib ada dan disarankan ada.  

Sesuai dengan hasil verifikasi yang telah dilaksanakan oleh DPKP bidang Pelaut Perikanan di SUPM N Bone pada tanggal 15 April, maka dinyatakan “Siswa Program Keahlian Nautika Laut SUPM N Bone diijinkan mengikuti ujian ANKAPIN II Mulai Tahun 2010”. Semoga ini menjadikan awal yang baik dalam upaya memberikan bekal bagi  calon lulusan mengahadapi dunia kerja nantinya.(Picture: M.Soghirun, S.Pd)

Global Positioning System

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Artist's conception of GPS Block II-F satellite in orbit

Civilian GPS receiver ("GPS navigation device") in a marine application.

GPS receivers are now integrated in many mobile phones.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.
The GPS project was started in 1973 to overcome the limitations of previous navigation systems,[1] integrating ideas from several predecessors, including a number of classified engineering design studies from the 1960s. GPS was created and realized by the U.S. Department of Defense (USDOD) and was originally run with 24 satellites. It became fully operational in 1994.
In addition to GPS, other systems are in use or under development. The Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) was in use by the Russian military only until it was made fully available to civilians in 2007. There are also the planned Chinese Compass navigation system and the European Union's Galileo positioning system.

Contents

[hide]

[edit] History


The design of GPS is based partly on similar ground-based radio navigation systems, such as LORAN and the Decca Navigator developed in the early 1940s, and used during World War II. In 1956 Friedwardt Winterberg[2] proposed a test of general relativity using accurate atomic clocks placed in orbit in artificial satellites. To achieve accuracy requirements, GPS uses principles of general relativity to correct the satellites' atomic clocks. Additional inspiration for GPS came when the Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite, Sputnik in 1957. A team of U.S. scientists led by Dr. Richard B. Kershner were monitoring Sputnik's radio transmissions. They discovered that, because of the Doppler effect, the frequency of the signal being transmitted by Sputnik was higher as the satellite approached, and lower as it continued away from them. They realized that because they knew their exact location on the globe, they could pinpoint where the satellite was along its orbit by measuring the Doppler distortion (see Transit (satellite)).
The first satellite navigation system, Transit, used by the United States Navy, was first successfully tested in 1960. It used a constellation of five satellites and could provide a navigational fix approximately once per hour. In 1967, the U.S. Navy developed the Timation satellite that proved the ability to place accurate clocks in space, a technology required by GPS. In the 1970s, the ground-based Omega Navigation System, based on phase comparison of signal transmission from pairs of stations,[3] became the first worldwide radio navigation system. Limitations of these systems drove the need for a more universal navigation solution with greater accuracy.
While there were wide needs for accurate navigation in military and civilian sectors, almost none of those were seen as justification for the billions of dollars it would cost in research, development, deployment, and operation for a constellation of navigation satellites. During the Cold War arms race, the nuclear threat to the existence of the United States was the one need that did justify this cost in the view of the United States Congress. This deterrent effect is why GPS was funded. The nuclear triad consisted of the United States Navy's submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) along with United States Air Force (USAF) strategic bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Considered vital to the nuclear deterrence posture, accurate determination of the SLBM launch position was a force multiplier.
Precise navigation would enable United States submarines to get an accurate fix of their positions prior to launching their SLBMs.[4] The USAF with two-thirds of the nuclear triad also had requirements for a more accurate and reliable navigation system. The Navy and Air Force were developing their own technologies in parallel to solve what was essentially the same problem. To increase the survivability of ICBMs, there was a proposal to use mobile launch platforms so the need to fix the launch position had similarity to the SLBM situation.
In 1960, the Air Force proposed a radio-navigation system called MOSAIC (Mobile System for Accurate ICBM Control) that was essentially a 3-D LORAN. A follow-on study called Project 57 was worked in 1963 and it was "in this study that the GPS concept was born." That same year the concept was pursued as Project 621B, which had "many of the attributes that you now see in GPS"[5] and promised increased accuracy for Air Force bombers as well as ICBMs. Updates from the Navy Transit system were too slow for the high speeds of Air Force operation. The Navy Research Laboratory continued advancements with their Timation (Time Navigation) satellites, first launched in 1967, and with the third one in 1974 carrying the first atomic clock into orbit.[6]
With these parallel developments in the 1960s, it was realized that a superior system could be developed by synthesizing the best technologies from 621B, Transit, Timation, and SECOR in a multi-service program.
During Labor Day weekend in 1973, a meeting of about 12 military officers at the Pentagon discussed the creation of a Defense Navigation Satellite System (DNSS). It was at this meeting that "the real synthesis that became GPS was created." Later that year, the DNSS program was named Navstar. With the individual satellites being associated with the name Navstar (as with the predecessors Transit and Timation), a more fully encompassing name was used to identify the constellation of Navstar satellites, Navstar-GPS, which was later shortened simply to GPS.[7]
After Korean Air Lines Flight 007, carrying 269 people, was shot down in 1983 after straying into the USSR's prohibited airspace,[8] in the vicinity of Sakhalin and Moneron Islands, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making GPS freely available for civilian use, once it was sufficiently developed, as a common good.[9] The first satellite was launched in 1989, and the 24th satellite was launched in 1994.
Initially, the highest quality signal was reserved for military use, and the signal available for civilian use was intentionally degraded ("Selective Availability", SA). This changed with United States President Bill Clinton ordering Selective Availability turned off at midnight May 1, 2000, improving the precision of civilian GPS from 100 meters (about 300 feet) to 20 meters (about 65 feet). The United States military by then had the ability to deny GPS service to potential adversaries on a regional basis.[10]
GPS is owned and operated by the United States Government as a national resource. Department of Defense (USDOD) is the steward of GPS. Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB) oversaw GPS policy matters from 1996 to 2004. After that the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing Executive Committee was established by presidential directive in 2004 to advise and coordinate federal departments and agencies on matters concerning the GPS and related systems. The executive committee is chaired jointly by the deputy secretaries of defense and transportation. Its membership includes equivalent-level officials from the departments of state, commerce, and homeland security, the joint chiefs of staff, and NASA. Components of the executive office of the president participate as observers to the executive committee, and the FCC chairman participates as a liaison.
USDOD is required by law to "maintain a Standard Positioning Service (as defined in the federal radio navigation plan and the standard positioning service signal specification) that will be available on a continuous, worldwide basis," and "develop measures to prevent hostile use of GPS and its augmentations without unduly disrupting or degrading civilian uses."

[edit] Timeline and modernization

Summary of satellites[11]
Block Launch
Period
Satellite launches Currently in orbit
and healthy
Suc-
cess
Fail-
ure
In prep-
aration
Plan-
ned
I 1978–1985 10 1 0 0 0
II 1989–1990 9 0 0 0 0
IIA 1990–1997 19 0 0 0 10
IIR 1997–2004 12 1 0 0 12
IIR-M 2005–2009 8 0 0 0 7
IIF 2010–2011 1 0 11 0 1
IIIA 2014–? 0 0 0 12 0
IIIB Theoretical 0 0 0 8 0
IIIC Theoretical 0 0 0 16 0
Total 59 2 11 36 30
(Last update: 24 May 2010)
PRN 01 from Block IIR-M is unhealthy
PRN 25 from Block IIA is unhealthy
PRN 32 from Block IIA is unhealthy
[12] For a more complete list, see list of GPS satellite launches
  • In 1972, the USAF Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (Holloman AFB), conducted developmental flight tests of two prototype GPS receivers over White Sands Missile Range, using ground-based pseudo-satellites.
  • In 1978, the first experimental Block-I GPS satellite was launched.
  • In 1983, after Soviet interceptor aircraft shot down the civilian airliner KAL 007 that strayed into prohibited airspace because of navigational errors, killing all 269 people on board, U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced that GPS would be made available for civilian uses once it was completed.[13][14]
  • By 1985, ten more experimental Block-I satellites had been launched to validate the concept.
  • On February 14, 1989, the first modern Block-II satellite was launched.
  • The Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, was the first conflict where GPS was widely used.[15]
  • In 1992, the 2nd Space Wing, which originally managed the system, was de-activated and replaced by the 50th Space Wing.
  • By December 1993, GPS achieved initial operational capability (IOC), indicating a full constellation (24 satellites) was available and providing the Standard Positioning Service (SPS).[16]
  • Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared by Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) in April 1995, signifying full availability of the military's secure Precise Positioning Service (PPS).[16]
  • In 1996, recognizing the importance of GPS to civilian users as well as military users, U.S. President Bill Clinton issued a policy directive[17] declaring GPS to be a dual-use system and establishing an Interagency GPS Executive Board to manage it as a national asset.
  • In 1998, United States Vice President Al Gore announced plans to upgrade GPS with two new civilian signals for enhanced user accuracy and reliability, particularly with respect to aviation safety and in 2000 the United States Congress authorized the effort, referring to it as GPS III.
  • In 1998, GPS technology was inducted into the Space Foundation Space Technology Hall of Fame.
  • On May 2, 2000 "Selective Availability" was discontinued as a result of the 1996 executive order, allowing users to receive a non-degraded signal globally.
  • In 2004, the United States Government signed an agreement with the European Community establishing cooperation related to GPS and Europe's planned Galileo system.
  • In 2004, United States President George W. Bush updated the national policy and replaced the executive board with the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing.[18]
  • November 2004, QUALCOMM announced successful tests of assisted GPS for mobile phones.[19]
  • In 2005, the first modernized GPS satellite was launched and began transmitting a second civilian signal (L2C) for enhanced user performance.
  • On September 14, 2007, the aging mainframe-based Ground Segment Control System was transferred to the new Architecture Evolution Plan.[20]
  • On May 19, 2009, the United States Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that some GPS satellites could fail as soon as 2010.[21]
  • On May 21, 2009, the Air Force Space Command allayed fears of GPS failure saying "There's only a small risk we will not continue to exceed our performance standard."[22]
  • On January 11, 2010, an update of ground control systems caused a software incompatibility with 8000 to 10000 military receivers manufactured by a division of Trimble Navigation Limited of Sunnyvale, Calif.[23]
  • The most recent launch was on May 28, 2010.[24] The oldest GPS satellite still in operation was launched on November 26, 1990, and became operational on December 10, 1990.[25]

[edit] Awards

On February 10, 1993, the National Aeronautic Association selected the GPS Team as winners of the 1992 Robert J. Collier Trophy, the nation's most prestigious aviation award. This team combines researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory, the USAF, the Aerospace Corporation, Rockwell International Corporation, and IBM Federal Systems Company. The citation honors them "for the most significant development for safe and efficient navigation and surveillance of air and spacecraft since the introduction of radio navigation 50 years ago."
Two GPS developers received the National Academy of Engineering Charles Stark Draper Prize for 2003:
GPS developer Roger L. Easton received the National Medal of Technology on February 13, 2006.[26]
Francis X. Kane (Col. USAF, ret.) was inducted into the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame at Lackland A.F.B., San Antonio, Texas, March 2, 2010 for his role in space technology development and the engineering design concept of GPS conducted as part of Project 621B.

[edit] Basic concept of GPS

A GPS receiver calculates its position by precisely timing the signals sent by GPS satellites high above the Earth. Each satellite continually transmits messages that include
  • the time the message was transmitted
  • precise orbital information (the ephemeris)
  • the general system health and rough orbits of all GPS satellites (the almanac).
The receiver uses the messages it receives to determine the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite. These distances along with the satellites' locations are used with the possible aid of trilateration, depending on which algorithm is used, to compute the position of the receiver. This position is then displayed, perhaps with a moving map display or latitude and longitude; elevation information may be included. Many GPS units show derived information such as direction and speed, calculated from position changes.
Three satellites might seem enough to solve for position since space has three dimensions and a position near the Earth's surface can be assumed. However, even a very small clock error multiplied by the very large speed of light[27] — the speed at which satellite signals propagate — results in a large positional error. Therefore receivers use four or more satellites to solve for the receiver's location and time. The very accurately computed time is effectively hidden by most GPS applications, which use only the location. A few specialized GPS applications do however use the time; these include time transfer, traffic signal timing, and synchronization of cell phone base stations.
Although four satellites are required for normal operation, fewer apply in special cases. If one variable is already known, a receiver can determine its position using only three satellites. For example, a ship or aircraft may have known elevation. Some GPS receivers may use additional clues or assumptions (such as reusing the last known altitude, dead reckoning, inertial navigation, or including information from the vehicle computer) to give a less accurate (degraded) position when fewer than four satellites are visible.[28][29][30]

[edit] Position calculation introduction

To provide an introductory description of how a GPS receiver works, error effects are deferred to a later section. Using messages received from a minimum of four visible satellites, a GPS receiver is able to determine the times sent and then the satellite positions corresponding to these times sent. The x, y, and z components of position, and the time sent, are designated as \scriptstyle\left[x_i,\, y_i,\, z_i,\, t_i\right] where the subscript i is the satellite number and has the value 1, 2, 3, or 4. Knowing the indicated, or uncorrected, time the message was received \scriptstyle\  t_\text{r, uncorr}, the GPS receiver can compute the uncorrected transit time of the message as \scriptstyle\left ( t_\text{r, uncorr}-t_i\right ) . Assuming the message traveled at the speed of light, c, the uncorrected distance traveled or pseudorange, \scriptstyle p_i can be computed as \scriptstyle\left ( t_\text{r, uncorr}-t_i\right )c.
A satellite's position and pseudorange define a sphere, centered on the satellite with radius equal to the pseudorange. The position of the receiver is somewhere on the surface of this sphere. Thus with four satellites, the indicated position of the GPS receiver is at or near the intersection of the surfaces of four spheres. In the ideal case of no errors, the GPS receiver would be at a precise intersection of the four surfaces.
If the surfaces of two spheres intersect at more than one point, they intersect in a circle. The article trilateration shows this mathematically. A figure, Two Sphere Surfaces Intersecting in a Circle, is shown below. Two points where the surfaces of the spheres intersect are clearly shown in the figure. The distance between these two points is the diameter of the circle of intersection.

Two sphere surfaces intersecting in a circle
The intersection of a third spherical surface with the first two will be its intersection with that circle; in most cases of practical interest, this means they intersect at two points.[31] Another figure, Surface of Sphere Intersecting a Circle (not a solid disk) at Two Points, illustrates the intersection. The two intersections are marked with dots. Again the article trilateration clearly shows this mathematically.

Surface of sphere Intersecting a circle (not a solid disk) at two points
For automobiles and other near-earth vehicles, the correct position of the GPS receiver is the intersection closest to the Earth's surface.[32] For space vehicles, the intersection farthest from Earth may be the correct one.
The correct position for the GPS receiver is also the intersection closest to the surface of the sphere corresponding to the fourth satellite.

[edit] Correcting a GPS receiver's clock

One of the most significant error sources is the GPS receiver's clock. Because of the very large value of the speed of light, c, the estimated distances from the GPS receiver to the satellites, the pseudoranges, are very sensitive to errors in the GPS receiver clock; for example an error of one microsecond (0.000 001 second) corresponds to an error of 300 metres (980 ft). This suggests that an extremely accurate and expensive clock is required for the GPS receiver to work. Because manufacturers prefer to build inexpensive GPS receivers for mass markets, the solution for this dilemma is based on the way sphere surfaces intersect in the GPS problem.

Diagram depicting satellite 4, sphere, p4, r4, and da
It is likely that the surfaces of the three spheres intersect, because the circle of intersection of the first two spheres is normally quite large, and thus the third sphere surface is likely to intersect this large circle. It is very unlikely that the surface of the sphere corresponding to the fourth satellite will intersect either of the two points of intersection of the first three, because any clock error could cause it to miss intersecting a point. However, the distance from the valid estimate of GPS receiver position to the surface of the sphere corresponding to the fourth satellite can be used to compute a clock correction. Let \scriptstyle r_4 denote the distance from the valid estimate of GPS receiver position to the fourth satellite and let \scriptstyle p_4 denote the pseudorange of the fourth satellite. Let \scriptstyle da \,=\, r_4 \,-\, p_4. \scriptstyle da is the distance from the computed GPS receiver position to the surface of the sphere corresponding to the fourth satellite. Thus the quotient, \scriptstyle b_\text{r} \,=\, - da / c\ , provides an estimate of
(time indicated by the receiver's on-board clock) - (correct time),
and the GPS receiver clock can be advanced if \scriptstyle b_\text{r} is positive or delayed if \scriptstyle b_\text{r} is negative. However, it should be kept in mind that a less simple function of \scriptstyle da may be needed to estimate the time error in an iterative algorithm as discussed in the Navigation equations section.

[edit] Structure

The current GPS consists of three major segments. These are the space segment (SS), a control segment (CS), and a user segment (U.S.).[33] The U.S. Air Force develops, maintains, and operates the space and control segments. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space, and each GPS receiver uses these signals to calculate its three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and the current time.[34]
The space segment is composed of 24 to 32 satellites in medium Earth orbit and also includes the payload adapters to the boosters required to launch them into orbit. The control segment is composed of a master control station, an alternate master control station, and a host of dedicated and shared ground antennas and monitor stations. The user segment is composed of hundreds of thousands of U.S. and allied military users of the secure GPS Precise Positioning Service, and tens of millions of civil, commercial, and scientific users of the Standard Positioning Service (see GPS navigation devices).

[edit] Space segment


Unlaunched GPS satellite on display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

A visual example of the GPS constellation in motion with the Earth rotating. Notice how the number of satellites in view from a given point on the Earth's surface, in this example at 45°N, changes with time.
The space segment (SS) is composed of the orbiting GPS satellites, or Space Vehicles (SV) in GPS parlance. The GPS design originally called for 24 SVs, eight each in three circular orbital planes,[35] but this was modified to six planes with four satellites each.[36] The orbital planes are centered on the Earth, not rotating with respect to the distant stars.[37] The six planes have approximately 55° inclination (tilt relative to Earth's equator) and are separated by 60° right ascension of the ascending node (angle along the equator from a reference point to the orbit's intersection).[38] The orbits are arranged so that at least six satellites are always within line of sight from almost everywhere on Earth's surface.[39] The result of this objective is that the four satellites are not evenly spaced (90 degrees) apart within each orbit. In general terms, the angular difference between satellites in each orbit is 30, 105, 120, and 105 degrees apart which, of course, sum to 360 degrees.
Orbiting at an altitude of approximately 20,200 kilometers (about 12,550 miles or 10,900 nautical miles; orbital radius of approximately 26,600 km (about 16,500 mi or 14,400 NM)), each SV makes two complete orbits each sidereal day, repeating the same ground track each day.[40] This was very helpful during development because even with only four satellites, correct alignment means all four are visible from one spot for a few hours each day. For military operations, the ground track repeat can be used to ensure good coverage in combat zones.
As of March 2008,[41] there are 31 actively broadcasting satellites in the GPS constellation, and two older, retired from active service satellites kept in the constellation as orbital spares. The additional satellites improve the precision of GPS receiver calculations by providing redundant measurements. With the increased number of satellites, the constellation was changed to a nonuniform arrangement. Such an arrangement was shown to improve reliability and availability of the system, relative to a uniform system, when multiple satellites fail.[42] About eight satellites are visible from any point on the ground at any one time (see animation at right).

[edit] Control segment


Ground monitor station used from 1984 to 2007, on display at the Air Force Space & Missile Museum
The control segment is composed of
  1. a master control station (MCS),
  2. an alternate master control station,
  3. four dedicated ground antennas and
  4. six dedicated monitor stations
The MCS can also access U.S. Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) ground antennas (for additional command and control capability) and NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) monitor stations. The flight paths of the satellites are tracked by dedicated U.S. Air Force monitoring stations in Hawaii, Kwajalein, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Cape Canaveral, along with shared NGA monitor stations operated in England, Argentina, Ecuador, Bahrain, Australia and Washington DC.[43] The tracking information is sent to the Air Force Space Command's MCS at Schriever Air Force Base 25 km (16 miles) ESE of Colorado Springs, which is operated by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) of the U.S. Air Force. Then 2 SOPS contacts each GPS satellite regularly with a navigational update using dedicated or shared (AFSCN) ground antennas (GPS dedicated ground antennas are located at Kwajalein, Ascension Island, Diego Garcia, and Cape Canaveral). These updates synchronize the atomic clocks on board the satellites to within a few nanoseconds of each other, and adjust the ephemeris of each satellite's internal orbital model. The updates are created by a Kalman filter that uses inputs from the ground monitoring stations, space weather information, and various other inputs.[44]
Satellite maneuvers are not precise by GPS standards. So to change the orbit of a satellite, the satellite must be marked unhealthy, so receivers will not use it in their calculation. Then the maneuver can be carried out, and the resulting orbit tracked from the ground. Then the new ephemeris is uploaded and the satellite marked healthy againUser segment

GPS receivers come in a variety of formats, from devices integrated into cars, phones, and watches, to dedicated devices such as those shown here from manufacturers Trimble, Garmin and Leica (left to right).
The user segment is composed of hundreds of thousands of U.S. and allied military users of the secure GPS Precise Positioning Service, and tens of millions of civil, commercial and scientific users of the Standard Positioning Service. In general, GPS receivers are composed of an antenna, tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites, receiver-processors, and a highly stable clock (often a crystal oscillator). They may also include a display for providing location and speed information to the user. A receiver is often described by its number of channels: this signifies how many satellites it can monitor simultaneously. Originally limited to four or five, this has progressively increased over the years so that, as of 2007, receivers typically have between 12 and 20 channels.[45]

A typical OEM GPS receiver module measuring 15×17 mm.
GPS receivers may include an input for differential corrections, using the RTCM SC-104 format. This is typically in the form of an RS-232 port at 4,800 bit/s speed. Data is actually sent at a much lower rate, which limits the accuracy of the signal sent using RTCM. Receivers with internal DGPS receivers can outperform those using external RTCM data. As of 2006, even low-cost units commonly include Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) receivers.

A typical GPS receiver with integrated antenna.
Many GPS receivers can relay position data to a PC or other device using the NMEA 0183 protocol. Although this protocol is officially defined by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA),[46] references to this protocol have been compiled from public records, allowing open source tools like gpsd to read the protocol without violating intellectual property laws. Other proprietary protocols exist as well, such as the SiRF and MTK protocols. Receivers can interface with other devices using methods including a serial connection, USB, or Bluetooth.

Applications

While originally a military project, GPS is considered a dual-use technology, meaning it has significant military and civilian applications.
GPS has become a widely deployed and useful tool for commerce, scientific uses, tracking, and surveillance. GPS's accurate time facilitates everyday activities such as banking, mobile phone operations, and even the control of power grids by allowing well synchronized hand-off switching.[34]

Civilian


This antenna is mounted on the roof of a hut containing a scientific experiment needing precise timing.
Many civilian applications use one or more of GPS's three basic components: absolute location, relative movement, and time transfer.

 Restrictions on civilian use

The U.S. Government controls the export of some civilian receivers. All GPS receivers capable of functioning above 18 kilometers (11 mi) altitude and 515 metres per second (1,001 kn)[48] are classified as munitions (weapons) for which U.S. State Department export licenses are required. These limits attempt to prevent use of a receiver in a ballistic missile. They would not prevent use in a cruise missile because their altitudes and speeds are similar to those of ordinary aircraft.
This rule applies even to otherwise purely civilian units that only receive the L1 frequency and the C/A (Clear/Acquisition) code and cannot correct for Selective Availability (SA), etc.
Disabling operation above these limits exempts the receiver from classification as a munition. Vendor interpretations differ. The rule targets operation given the combination of altitude and speed, while some receivers stop operating even when stationary. This has caused problems with some amateur radio balloon launches that regularly reach 30 kilometers (19 mi).

Military


Attaching a GPS guidance kit to a 'dumb' bomb, March 2003.
As of 2009, military applications of GPS include:
  • Navigation: GPS allows soldiers to find objectives, even in the dark or in unfamiliar territory, and to coordinate troop and supply movement. In the United States armed forces, commanders use the Commanders Digital Assistant and lower ranks use the Soldier Digital Assistant.[49][50][51][52]
  • Target tracking: Various military weapons systems use GPS to track potential ground and air targets before flagging them as hostile.[citation needed] These weapon systems pass target coordinates to precision-guided munitions to allow them to engage targets accurately. Military aircraft, particularly in air-to-ground roles, use GPS to find targets (for example, gun camera video from AH-1 Cobras in Iraq show GPS co-ordinates that can be viewed with special software.)
  • Missile and projectile guidance: GPS allows accurate targeting of various military weapons including ICBMs, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions. Artillery projectiles. Embedded GPS receivers able to withstand accelerations of 12,000 g or about 118 km/s2 have been developed for use in 155 millimeters (6.1 in) howitzers.[53]
  • Search and Rescue: Downed pilots can be located faster if their position is known.
  • Reconnaissance: Patrol movement can be managed more closely.
  • GPS satellites carry a set of nuclear detonation detectors consisting of an optical sensor (Y-sensor), an X-ray sensor, a dosimeter, and an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) sensor (W-sensor), that form a major portion of the United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System.[54][55]

Communication

The navigational signals transmitted by GPS satellites encode a variety of information including satellite positions, the state of the internal clocks, and the health of the network. These signals are transmitted on two separate carrier frequencies that are common to all satellites in the network. Two different encodings are used, a public encoding that enables lower resolution navigation, and an encrypted encoding used by the U.S. military.

Message format

GPS message format
Subframes Description
1 Satellite clock,
GPS time relationship
2–3 Ephemeris
(precise satellite orbit)
4–5 Almanac component
(satellite network synopsis,
error correction)
Each GPS satellite continuously broadcasts a navigation message at a rate of 50 bits per second (see bitrate). Each complete message is composed of 30-second frames, distinct groupings of 1,500 bits of information. Each frame is further subdivided into 5 subframes of length 6 seconds and with 300 bits each. Each subframe contains 10 words of 30 bits with length 0.6 seconds each. Each 30 second frame begins precisely on the minute or half minute as indicated by the atomic clock on each satellite.[56]
The first part of the message encodes the week number and the time within the week,[57] as well as the data about the health of the satellite. The second part of the message, the ephemeris, provides the precise orbit for the satellite. The last part of the message, the almanac, contains coarse orbit and status information for all satellites in the network as well as data related to error correction.[58]
All satellites broadcast at the same frequencies. Signals are encoded using code division multiple access (CDMA) allowing messages from individual satellites to be distinguished from each other based on unique encodings for each satellite (that the receiver must be aware of). Two distinct types of CDMA encodings are used: the coarse/acquisition (C/A) code, which is accessible by the general public, and the precise (P) code, that is encrypted so that only the U.S. military can access it.
The ephemeris is updated every 2 hours and is generally valid for 4 hours, with provisions for updates every 6 hours or longer in non-nominal conditions. The almanac is updated typically every 24 hours. Additionally data for a few weeks following is uploaded in case of transmission updates that delay data upload.

Satellite frequencies

GPS frequency overview
Band Frequency Description
L1 1575.42 MHz Coarse-acquisition (C/A) and encrypted precision P(Y) codes, plus the L1 civilian (L1C) and military (M) codes on future Block III satellites.
L2 1227.60 MHz P(Y) code, plus the L2C and military codes on the Block IIR-M and newer satellites.
L3 1381.05 MHz Used for nuclear detonation (NUDET) detection.
L4 1379.913 MHz Being studied for additional ionospheric correction.
L5 1176.45 MHz Proposed for use as a civilian safety-of-life (SoL) signal.
All satellites broadcast at the same two frequencies, 1.57542 GHz (L1 signal) and 1.2276 GHz (L2 signal). The satellite network uses a CDMA spread-spectrum technique where the low-bitrate message data is encoded with a high-rate pseudo-random (PRN) sequence that is different for each satellite. The receiver must be aware of the PRN codes for each satellite to reconstruct the actual message data. The C/A code, for civilian use, transmits data at 1.023 million chips per second, whereas the P code, for U.S. military use, transmits at 10.23 million chips per second. The L1 carrier is modulated by both the C/A and P codes, while the L2 carrier is only modulated by the P code.[59] The P code can be encrypted as a so-called P(Y) code that is only available to military equipment with a proper decryption key. Both the C/A and P(Y) codes impart the precise time-of-day to the user.
The L3 signal at a frequency of 1.38105 GHz is used by the United States Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (USNDS) to detect, locate, and report nuclear detonations (NUDETs) in the Earth's atmosphere and near space.[60] One usage is the enforcement of nuclear test ban treaties.
The L4 band at 1.379913 GHz is being studied for additional ionospheric correction.
The L5 frequency band at 1.17645 GHZ was added in the process of GPS modernization. This frequency falls into an internationally protected range for aeronautical navigation, promising little or no interference under all circumstances. The first Block IIF satellite that would provide this signal is set to be launched in 2009.[61] The L5 consists of two carrier components that are in phase quadrature with each other. Each carrier component is bi-phase shift key (BPSK) modulated by a separate bit train.
A waiver has recently been granted to LightSquared to operate a terrestrial broadband service in the L1 band. There is some concern that this will seriously degrade the GPS signal for many consumer uses.
gpsworld.com - report
saveourgps.org - campaign

 Demodulation and decoding


Demodulating and Decoding GPS Satellite Signals using the Coarse/Acquisition Gold code.
Because all of the satellite signals are modulated onto the same L1 carrier frequency, the signals must be separated after demodulation. This is done by assigning each satellite a unique binary sequence known as a Gold code. The signals are decoded after demodulation using addition of the Gold codes corresponding to the satellites monitored by the receiver.[62][63]
If the almanac information has previously been acquired, the receiver picks the satellites to listen for by their PRNs, unique numbers in the range 1 through 32. If the almanac information is not in memory, the receiver enters a search mode until a lock is obtained on one of the satellites. To obtain a lock, it is necessary that there be an unobstructed line of sight from the receiver to the satellite. The receiver can then acquire the almanac and determine the satellites it should listen for. As it detects each satellite's signal, it identifies it by its distinct C/A code pattern. There can be a delay of up to 30 seconds before the first estimate of position because of the need to read the ephemeris data.
Processing of the navigation message enables the determination of the time of transmission and the satellite position at this time. For more information see Demodulation and Decoding, Advanced.

 Navigation equations

The receiver uses messages received from four satellites to determine the satellite positions and time sent. The x, y, and z components of position and the time sent are designated as \ \left [x_i, y_i, z_i, t_i\right ] where the subscript i denotes the satellite and has the value 1, 2, 3, or 4. Knowing when the message was received \ \   t_\text{r}, the receiver computes the message's transit time as \ \left ( t_\text{r}-t_i\right ) . Assuming the message traveled at the speed of light (c) the distance traveled is \ \left ( t_\text{r}-t_i\right )c . Knowing the distance from receiver to satellite and the satellite's position implies that the receiver is on the surface of a sphere centered at the satellite's position. Thus the receiver is at or near the intersection of the surfaces of four spheres. In the ideal case of no errors, the receiver is at the intersection of the surfaces of four spheres. Excluding the unrealistic case (for GPS purposes) of two coincident spheres, the surfaces of two intersecting spheres is either a point (if they merely touch) or a circle as depicted in the illustration below. Two of the points where the surfaces of the spheres intersect are clearly marked on the figure. The distance between these two points is the diameter of the circle of intersection.

Two sphere surfaces intersecting in a circle
This can be seen more clearly by considering a side view of the intersecting spheres. This view would match the figure because of the symmetry of the spheres. A view from any horizontal direction would look exactly the same. Therefore the diameter as seen from all directions is the same and thus the surfaces actually do intersect in a circle. The article trilateration algebraically confirms this geometric argument that the two sphere surfaces intersect in a circle.
Having found that two sphere surfaces intersect in a circle, we now consider how the intersection of the first two sphere surfaces, the circle, intersect with the third sphere. A circle and sphere surface intersect at zero, one or two points. For the GPS problem we are concerned with the case of two points of intersection. Another figure, Surface of Sphere Intersecting a Circle (not a solid disk) at Two Points, is shown below to aid in visualizing this intersection. Trilateration algebraically confirms this geometric observation. The ambiguity of two points of intersection of three sphere surfaces can be resolved by noting the point that is closest to the fourth sphere surface.

Surface of a sphere intersecting a circle (i.e., the edge of a disk) at two points
Having provided a discussion of how sphere surfaces intersect, we now formulate the equations for the case when errors are present.
Let \ \ b denote the clock error or bias, the amount that the receiver's clock is off. The receiver has four unknowns, the three components of GPS receiver position and the clock bias \ \left [x, y, z, b\right ]. The equation of the sphere surfaces are given by: (x-x_i)^2 + (y-y_i)^2 + (z-z_i)^2 = \bigl([ t_\text{r} + b - t_i]c\bigr)^2,
\;i=1,2,3,4
Another useful form of these equations is in terms of pseudoranges, which are the approximate ranges based on the receiver clock's uncorrected time so that  p_i = \left ( t_\text{r} - t_i \right )c. Then the equations becomes:
p_i = \sqrt{(x-x_i)^2 + (y-y_i)^2 + (z-z_i)^2}- bc, \;i=1,2,3,4.

 Methods of solution of navigation equations

The navigation equations can be solved by an algebraic method, called the Bancroft Method or by numerical methods involving trilateration or multidimensional root finding.

Bancroft's method

Bancroft's method is perhaps the most important method of solving the navigation equations because it involves an algebraic as opposed to numerical method.[64] The method requires at least four satellites but more can be used.

 Trilateration

The receiver can use trilateration [65][66] and one dimensional numerical root finding.[67] Trilateration is used to determine the intersection of the surfaces of three spheres. In the usual case of two intersections, the point nearest the surface of the sphere corresponding to the fourth satellite is chosen. The Earth's surface can also sometimes be used instead, especially by civilian GPS receivers, because it is illegal in the United States to track vehicles more than 60,000 feet (18,000 m) in altitude.[citation needed] Let da denote the signed magnitude of the vector from the receiver position to the fourth satellite (i.e. da = r4 - p4) as defined in the section, Correcting a GPS receiver's clock. da is a function of the correction because the correction changes the satellite transmission times and thus the pseudoranges. The notation, da(correction) denotes this function. The problem is to determine the correction such that
da\left(correction\right) = 0.
This is the familiar problem of finding the zeroes of a one dimensional non-linear function of a scalar variable. Iterative numerical methods, such as those found in the chapter on root finding in Numerical Recipes can solve this type of problem.[67] One advantage of this method is that it involves one dimensional as opposed to multidimensional numerical root finding.

 Multidimensional Newton-Raphson calculations

  • Alternatively, multidimensional root finding method such as Newton-Raphson method can be used.[67] The approach is to linearize around an approximate solution, say \ \left [x_\text{r}^{(k)}, y_\text{r}^{(k)}, z_\text{r}^{(k)}, b_\text{r}^{(k)}\right ] from iteration k, then solve four linear equations derived from the quadratic equations above to obtain \left [x_\text{r}^{(k+1)}, y_\text{r}^{(k+1)}, z_\text{r}^{(k+1)}, b_\text{r}^{(k+1)}\right ]. The Newton-Raphson method is more rapidly convergent than other methods of numerical root finding.[67] A disadvantage of this multidimensional root finding method as compared to single dimensional root findiing is that, "There are no good general methods for solving systems of more than one nonlinear equations."[67]
  • When more than four satellites are available, the calculation can use the four best or more than four, considering number of channels, processing capability, and geometric dilution of precision (GDOP). Using more than four is an over-determined system of equations with no unique solution, which must be solved by least-squares or a similar technique.[64] If all visible satellites are used, the results are as good as or better than using the four best. Errors can be estimated through the residuals. With each combination of four or more satellites, a GDOP factor can be calculated, based on the relative sky directions of the satellites used.[68] As more satellites are picked up, pseudoranges from various 4-way combinations can be processed to add more estimates to the location and clock offset. The receiver then takes the weighted average of these positions and clock offsets. After the final location and time are calculated, the location is expressed in a specific coordinate system such as latitude and longitude, using the WGS 84 geodetic datum or a country-specific system.[69]
  • Finally, results from other positioning systems such as GLONASS or the upcoming Galileo can be incorporated or used to check the result. (By design, these systems use the same frequency bands, so much of the receiver circuitry can be shared, though the decoding is different.)

 Error sources and analysis

Error analysis for the Global Positioning System is an important aspect for determining what errors and their magnitude are to be expected. GPS errors are affected by geometric dilution of precision and depend on signal arrival time errors, numerical errors, atmospherics effects, ephemeris erros, multipath errors and other effects.Accuracy enhancement and surveying

 Augmentation

Integrating external information into the calculation process can materially improve accuracy. Such augmentation systems are generally named or described based on how the information arrives. Some systems transmit additional error information (such as clock drift, ephemera, or ionospheric delay), others characterize prior errors, while a third group provides additional navigational or vehicle information.
Examples of augmentation systems include the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Differential GPS, Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Assisted GPS.

 Precise monitoring

Accuracy can be improved through precise monitoring and measurement of existing GPS signals in additional or alternate ways.
The largest remaining error is usually the unpredictable delay through the ionosphere. The spacecraft broadcast ionospheric model parameters, but errors remain. This is one reason GPS spacecraft transmit on at least two frequencies, L1 and L2. Ionospheric delay is a well-defined function of frequency and the total electron content (TEC) along the path, so measuring the arrival time difference between the frequencies determines TEC and thus the precise ionospheric delay at each frequency.
Military receivers can decode the P(Y)-code transmitted on both L1 and L2. Without decryption keys, it is still possible to use a codeless technique to compare the P(Y) codes on L1 and L2 to gain much of the same error information. However, this technique is slow, so it is currently available only on specialized surveying equipment. In the future, additional civilian codes are expected to be transmitted on the L2 and L5 frequencies (see GPS modernization). Then all users will be able to perform dual-frequency measurements and directly compute ionospheric delay errors.
A second form of precise monitoring is called Carrier-Phase Enhancement (CPGPS). This corrects the error that arises because the pulse transition of the PRN is not instantaneous, and thus the correlation (satellite-receiver sequence matching) operation is imperfect. CPGPS uses the L1 carrier wave, which has a period of  \frac{1\ \mathrm{sec}}{1575.42 * 10^6} = 0.63475 \  \mathrm{nanoseconds} \approx 1 \ \mathrm{nanosecond} \ , which is about one-thousandth of the C/A Gold code bit period of  \frac{1\ \mathrm{sec}}{1023 * 10^3} = 977.5 \ \mathrm{nanosecond} \   \approx 1000 \ \mathrm{nanosecond} \ , to act as an additional clock signal and resolve the uncertainty. The phase difference error in the normal GPS amounts to 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) of ambiguity. CPGPS working to within 1% of perfect transition reduces this error to 3 centimeters (1.2 in) of ambiguity. By eliminating this error source, CPGPS coupled with DGPS normally realizes between 20–30 centimetres (7.9–12 in) of absolute accuracy.
Relative Kinematic Positioning (RKP) is a third alternative for a precise GPS-based positioning system. In this approach, determination of range signal can be resolved to a precision of less than 10 centimeters (3.9 in). This is done by resolving the number of cycles that the signal is transmitted and received by the receiver by using a combination of differential GPS (DGPS) correction data, transmitting GPS signal phase information and ambiguity resolution techniques via statistical tests—possibly with processing in real-time (real-time kinematic positioning, RTK).

Timekeeping

 Timekeeping and leap seconds

While most clocks are synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the atomic clocks on the satellites are set to GPS time (GPST; see the page of United States Naval Observatory). The difference is that GPS time is not corrected to match the rotation of the Earth, so it does not contain leap seconds or other corrections that are periodically added to UTC. GPS time was set to match Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1980, but has since diverged. The lack of corrections means that GPS time remains at a constant offset with International Atomic Time (TAI) (TAI - GPS = 19 seconds). Periodic corrections are performed on the on-board clocks to correct relativistic effects and keep them synchronized with ground clocks.[citation needed]
The GPS navigation message includes the difference between GPS time and UTC, which as of 2011 is 15 seconds because of the leap second added to UTC December 31, 2008. Receivers subtract this offset from GPS time to calculate UTC and specific timezone values. New GPS units may not show the correct UTC time until after receiving the UTC offset message. The GPS-UTC offset field can accommodate 255 leap seconds (eight bits) that, given the current period of the Earth's rotation (with one leap second introduced approximately every 18 months), should be sufficient to last until approximately the year 2300.

[edit] Timekeeping accuracy

GPS time is accurate to about 14ns.[70]

[edit] Timekeeping format

As opposed to the year, month, and day format of the Gregorian calendar, the GPS date is expressed as a week number and a seconds-into-week number. The week number is transmitted as a ten-bit field in the C/A and P(Y) navigation messages, and so it becomes zero again every 1,024 weeks (19.6 years). GPS week zero started at 00:00:00 UTC (00:00:19 TAI) on January 6, 1980, and the week number became zero again for the first time at 23:59:47 UTC on August 21, 1999 (00:00:19 TAI on August 22, 1999). To determine the current Gregorian date, a GPS receiver must be provided with the approximate date (to within 3,584 days) to correctly translate the GPS date signal. To address this concern the modernized GPS navigation message uses a 13-bit field that only repeats every 8,192 weeks (157 years), thus lasting until the year 2137 (157 years after GPS week zero).

 Carrier phase tracking (surveying)

Another method that is used in surveying applications is carrier phase tracking. The period of the carrier frequency times the speed of light gives the wavelength, which is about 0.19 meters for the L1 carrier. Accuracy within 1% of wavelength in detecting the leading edge, reduces this component of pseudorange error to as little as 2 millimeters. This compares to 3 meters for the C/A code and 0.3 meters for the P code.
However, 2 millimeter accuracy requires measuring the total phase—the number of waves times the wavelength plus the fractional wavelength, which requires specially equipped receivers. This method has many surveying applications.
Triple differencing followed by numerical root finding, and a mathematical technique called least squares can estimate the position of one receiver given the position of another. First, compute the difference between satellites, then between receivers, and finally between epochs. Other orders of taking differences are equally valid. Detailed discussion of the errors is omitted.
The satellite carrier total phase can be measured with ambiguity as to the number of cycles. Let \ \phi(r_i, s_j, t_k) denote the phase of the carrier of satellite j measured by receiver i at time \ \ t_k . This notation shows the meaning of the subscripts i, j, and k. The receiver (r), satellite (s), and time (t) come in alphabetical order as arguments of \ \phi and to balance readability and conciseness, let \ \phi_{i,j,k} = \phi(r_i, s_j, t_k) be a concise abbreviation. Also we define three functions, :\ \Delta^r, \Delta^s, \Delta^t , which return differences between receivers, satellites, and time points, respectively. Each function has variables with three subscripts as its arguments. These three functions are defined below. If \  \alpha_{i,j,k} is a function of the three integer arguments, i, j, and k then it is a valid argument for the functions, :\ \Delta^r, \Delta^s, \Delta^t , with the values defined as
\ \Delta^r(\alpha_{i,j,k}) = \alpha_{i+1,j,k} - \alpha_{i,j,k} ,
\ \Delta^s(\alpha_{i,j,k}) = \alpha_{i,j+1,k} - \alpha_{i,j,k} , and
\ \Delta^t(\alpha_{i,j,k}) = \alpha_{i,j,k+1} - \alpha_{i,j,k}  .
Also if \  \alpha_{i,j,k}\ and\ \beta_{l,m,n} are valid arguments for the three functions and a and b are constants then \ ( a\ \alpha_{i,j,k} + b\ \beta_{l,m,n} ) is a valid argument with values defined as
\ \Delta^r(a\ \alpha_{i,j,k} + b\ \beta_{l,m,n}) = a \ \Delta^r(\alpha_{i,j,k}) +  b \ \Delta^r(\beta_{l,m,n}),
\ \Delta^s(a\ \alpha_{i,j,k} + b\ \beta_{l,m,n} )= a \ \Delta^s(\alpha_{i,j,k}) +  b \ \Delta^s(\beta_{l,m,n}), and
\ \Delta^t(a\ \alpha_{i,j,k} + b\ \beta_{l,m,n} )= a \ \Delta^t(\alpha_{i,j,k}) +  b \ \Delta^t(\beta_{l,m,n}) .
Receiver clock errors can be approximately eliminated by differencing the phases measured from satellite 1 with that from satellite 2 at the same epoch.[71] This difference is designated as \ \Delta^s(\phi_{1,1,1}) =  \phi_{1,2,1} - \phi_{1,1,1}
Double differencing[72] computes the difference of receiver 1's satellite difference from that of receiver 2. This approximately eliminates satellite clock errors. This double difference is:
\begin{align}
\Delta^r(\Delta^s(\phi_{1,1,1}))\,&=\,\Delta^r(\phi_{1,2,1} - \phi_{1,1,1})
                                  &=\,\Delta^r(\phi_{1,2,1}) - \Delta^r(\phi_{1,1,1})
                                  &=\,(\phi_{2,2,1}  - \phi_{1,2,1}) - (\phi_{2,1,1} - \phi_{1,1,1})
\end{align}
Triple differencing[73] subtracts the receiver difference from time 1 from that of time 2. This eliminates the ambiguity associated with the integral number of wave lengths in carrier phase provided this ambiguity does not change with time. Thus the triple difference result eliminates practically all clock bias errors and the integer ambiguity. Atmospheric delay and satellite ephemeris errors have been significantly reduced. This triple difference is:
\ \Delta^t(\Delta^r(\Delta^s(\phi_{1,1,1})))
Triple difference results can be used to estimate unknown variables. For example if the position of receiver 1 is known but the position of receiver 2 unknown, it may be possible to estimate the position of receiver 2 using numerical root finding and least squares. Triple difference results for three independent time pairs quite possibly will be sufficient to solve for receiver 2's three position components. This may require the use of a numerical procedure.[74][75] An approximation of receiver 2's position is required to use such a numerical method. This initial value can probably be provided from the navigation message and the intersection of sphere surfaces. Such a reasonable estimate can be key to successful multidimensional root finding. Iterating from three time pairs and a fairly good initial value produces one observed triple difference result for receiver 2's position. Processing additional time pairs can improve accuracy, overdetermining the answer with multiple solutions. Least squares can estimate an overdetermined system. Least squares determines the position of receiver 2 which best fits the observed triple difference results for receiver 2 positions under the criterion of minimizing the sum of the squares.

[edit] Other systems

Other satellite navigation systems in use or various states of development include:
  • European Union Galileo – a global system being developed by the European Union and other partner countries, planned to be operational by 2014
  • People's Republic of China BeidouPeople's Republic of China's regional system, covering Asia and the West Pacific[76]
  • People's Republic of China COMPASS – People's Republic of China's global system, planned to be operational by 2020[77][78]
  • Russia GLONASSRussia's global navigation system
  • India IRNSSIndia's regional navigation system, planned to be operational by 2012, covering India and Northern Indian Ocean[79]
  • Japan QZSSJapanese regional system covering Asia and Oceania

 See also

 Notes

  1. ^ National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on the Future of the Global Positioning System; National Academy of Public Administration (1995). The global positioning system: a shared national asset : recommendations for technical improvements and enhancements. National Academies Press. p. 16. ISBN 0-309-05283-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=FAHk65slfY4C. , Chapter 1, p. 16
  2. ^ Astronautica Acta II, 25 (1956)
  3. ^ Jerry Proc. "Omega". Jproc.ca. http://www.jproc.ca/hyperbolic/omega.html. Retrieved 2009-12-08. 
  4. ^ "Why Did the Department of Defense Develop GPS?". Trimble Navigation Ltd. Archived from the original on 2007-10-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20071018151253/http://www.trimble.com/gps/whygps.shtml#0. Retrieved 2010-01-13. 
  5. ^ "Charting a Course Toward Global Navigation". The Aerospace Corporation. http://www.aero.org/publications/crosslink/summer2002/01.html. Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
  6. ^ "A Guide To The Global Positioning System (GPS) — GPS Timeline". Radio Shack. http://support.radioshack.com/support_tutorials/gps/gps_tmline.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
  7. ^ Michael Russell Rip, James M. Hasik (2002). The Precision Revolution: GPS and the Future of Aerial Warfare. Naval Institute Press. p. 65. ISBN 1557509735. http://books.google.com/?id=mB9W3H90KDUC. Retrieved 2010-01-14. 
  8. ^ "ICAO Completes Fact-Finding Investigation". International Civil Aviation Organization. http://www.icao.int/cgi/goto_m.pl?icao/en/trivia/kal_flight_007.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-15. 
  9. ^ "United States Updates Global Positioning System Technology". America.gov. February 3, 2006. http://www.america.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=February&x=20060203125928lcnirellep0.5061609. 
  10. ^ "GPS & Selective Availability Q&A". [1]. http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/FGCS/info/sans_SA/docs/GPS_SA_Event_QAs.pdf. Retrieved 2010-05-28. 
  11. ^ GPS Wing Reaches GPS III IBR Milestone in InsideGNSS November 10, 2008
  12. ^ "GPS almanacs". Navcen.uscg.gov. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsAlmanacs. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  13. ^ Dietrich Schroeer, Mirco Elena (2000). Technology Transfer. Ashgate. p. 80. ISBN 075462045X. http://books.google.com/?id=I7JRAAAAMAAJ. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
  14. ^ Michael Russell Rip, James M. Hasik (2002). The Precision Revolution: GPS and the Future of Aerial Warfare. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557509735. http://books.google.com/?id=_wpUAAAAMAAJ. Retrieved 2008-05-25. 
  15. ^ The Global Positioning System: Assessing National Policies, p.245. RAND corporation
  16. ^ a b "USNO NAVSTAR Global Positioning System". U.S. Naval Observatory. http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/gpsinfo.html. Retrieved 2011-01-07. 
  17. ^ National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. Global Positioning System Policy. March 29, 1996.
  18. ^ "National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing". Pnt.gov. http://pnt.gov/. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  19. ^ "Assisted-GPS Test Calls for 3G WCDMA Networks". 3g.co.uk. November 10, 2004. http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/November2004/8641.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-24. 
  20. ^ This story was written by 010907 (2007-09-17). "losangeles.af.mil". losangeles.af.mil. http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123068412. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  21. ^ Johnson, Bobbie (May 19, 2009). "GPS system 'close to breakdown'". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/19/gps-close-to-breakdown. Retrieved 2009-12-08. 
  22. ^ Coursey, David (May 21, 2009). "Air Force Responds to GPS Outage Concerns". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/story?id=7647002&page=1. Retrieved 2009-05-22. 
  23. ^ "Air Force GPS Problem: Glitch Shows How Much U.S. Military Relies On GPS". Huffingtonpost.comm. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/01/air-force-gps-problem-gli_n_595727.html. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  24. ^ "United States Naval Observatory (USNO) GPS Constellation Status". ftp://tycho.usno.navy.mil/pub/gps/gpstd.txt. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  25. ^ United States Naval Observatory. GPS Constellation Status. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  26. ^ United States Naval Research Laboratory. National Medal of Technology for GPS. November 21, 2005
  27. ^ GPS signals travel at the speed of light, so computing the distance for a given elapsed time is almost a straightforward calculation. However, the speed of light varies slightly between the partial vacuum of space and the atmosphere. A receiver can approximate these effects and produce a reasonable estimate. Once a rough position is determined, some receivers carefully compute the amount of atmosphere the signal traveled through and adjust the distance accordingly.
  28. ^ Georg zur Bonsen, Daniel Ammann, Michael Ammann, Etienne Favey, Pascal Flammant (2005-04-01). "Continuous Navigation Combining GPS with Sensor-Based Dead Reckoning". GPS World. Archived from the original on 2006-11-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20061111202317/http://www.gpsworld.com/gpsworld/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=154870&pageID=6. 
  29. ^ "NAVSTAR GPS User Equipment Introduction" (PDF). United States Government. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/gps/gpsuser/gpsuser.pdf.  Chapter 7
  30. ^ "GPS Support Notes" (PDF). January 19, 2007. http://www.navmanwireless.com/uploads/EK/C8/EKC8zb1ITsNwDqWcqLQxiQ/Support_Notes_GPS_OperatingParameters.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-10. [dead link]
  31. ^ It is also possible for a circle and a spherical surface to intersect at zero points, one point, or in the very special case where the centers of the three spheres are co-linear (i.e., all three on the same straight line) the sphere surface could intersect the entire circumference of the circle.
  32. ^ The two intersections are symmetrical about the plane containing the three satellites. Excluding the exceptional case when the three satellites are all in a plane containing the center of the earth, one intersection will be nearer the earth than the other.
  33. ^ John Pike. "GPS III Operational Control Segment (OCX)". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/gps_3-ocx.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-08. 
  34. ^ a b "Global Positioning System". Gps.gov. http://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/index.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 
  35. ^ Daly, P.. "Navstar GPS and GLONASS: global satellite navigation systems". IEEE. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel1/2219/7072/00285510.pdf?arnumber=285510. 
  36. ^ Dana, Peter H. (1996-08-08). "GPS Orbital Planes" (GIF). http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gif/oplanes.gif. 
  37. ^ What the Global Positioning System Tells Us about Relativity. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
  38. ^ GPS Overview from the NAVSTAR Joint Program Office. Retrieved December 15, 2006.
  39. ^ "USCG Navcen: GPS Frequently Asked Questions". http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsFaq. Retrieved 2007-01-31. 
  40. ^ Agnew, D.C. and Larson, K.M. (2007). "Finding the repeat times of the GPS constellation". GPS Solutions (Springer) 11 (1): 71–76. doi:10.1007/s10291-006-0038-4.  This article from author's web site, with minor correction.
  41. ^ Tis-pf-nisws. "Nanu 2008030". http://cgls.uscg.mil/pipermail/gps/2008-March/001625.html. 
  42. ^ Massatt, Paul; Wayne Brady (Summer 2002). "Optimizing performance through constellation management". Crosslink: 17–21. http://www.aero.org/publications/crosslink/summer2002/index.html. 
  43. ^ United States Coast Guard General GPS News 9-9-05
  44. ^ USNO NAVSTAR Global Positioning System. Retrieved May 14, 2006.
  45. ^ Though there are many receiver manufacturers, they almost all use one of the chipsets produced for this purpose. An example: "GPS Receiver Chip Performance Survey". GPS Technology Reviews. http://gpstekreviews.com/2007/04/14/gps-receiver-chip-performance-survey/. 
  46. ^ "Publications and Standards from the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)". National Marine Electronics Association. http://www.nmea.org/pub/index.html. Retrieved 2008-06-27. 
  47. ^ "Spotlight GPS pet locator". Spotlightgps.com. http://www.spotlightgps.com/. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  48. ^ Arms Control Association.Missile Technology Control Regime. Retrieved May 17, 2006.
  49. ^ Commanders Digital Assistant explanation and photo
  50. ^ "Latest version Commanders Digital Assistant" (PDF). http://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SWAR_LW_CDA.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  51. ^ Soldier Digital Assistant explanation and photo
  52. ^ Sinha, Vandana (2003-07-24). "Commanders and Soldiers' GPS-receivers". Gcn.com. http://gcn.com/articles/2003/07/24/soldiers-take-digital-assistants-to-war.aspx. Retrieved 2009-10-13. 
  53. ^ "XM982 Excalibur Precision Guided Extended Range Artillery Projectile". GlobalSecurity.org. 2007-05-29. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m982-155.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-26. 
  54. ^ Sandia National Laboratory's Nonproliferation programs and arms control technology.
  55. ^ Dr. Dennis D. McCrady. "The GPS Burst Detector W-Sensor". Sandia National Laboratories. http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/10176800-S2tU7w/native/10176800.pdf. 
  56. ^ "Satellite message format". Gpsinformation.net. http://gpsinformation.net/gpssignal.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  57. ^ Michael Woessner, Anja Koehne. "time-of-week". Kowoma.de. http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/data_composition.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  58. ^ "Interface Specification IS-GPS-200, Revision D: Navstar GPS Space Segment/Navigation User Interfaces" (PDF). Navstar GPS Joint Program Office. http://www.losangeles.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070803-059.pdf.  Page 103.
  59. ^ How GPS works. Konowa.de (2005).
  60. ^ United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS)
  61. ^ First GPS IIF Satellite Undergoes Environmental Testing. GPS World. November 5, 2007.
  62. ^ "GPS Almanacs, NANUS, and Ops Advisories (including archives)". GPS Almanac Information. United States Coast Guard. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsAlmanacs. Retrieved 2009-09-09. 
  63. ^ "George, M., Hamid, M., and Miller A. Gold Code Generators in Virtex DevicesPDF (126 KB)
  64. ^ a b "Global Positioning Systems" (PDF). http://www.macalester.edu/~halverson/math36/GPS.pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  65. ^ Position Determination with GPS. Konowa.de (2005).
  66. ^ How GPS Receivers Work at How Stuff Works
  67. ^ a b c d e Press, Flannery, Tekolsky, and Vetterling 1986, Numerical Recipes, The Art of Scientific Computing (Cambridge University Press).
  68. ^ Dana, Peter H.. "Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) and Visibility". University of Colorado at Boulder. http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps.html#Gdop. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 
  69. ^ Peter H. Dana. "Receiver Position, Velocity, and Time". University of Colorado at Boulder. http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/gps/gps.html#PosVelTime. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 
  70. ^ David W. Allan (1997). "The Science of Timekeeping". Hewlett Packard. http://www.allanstime.com/Publications/DWA/Science_Timekeeping/index.html. 
  71. ^ "Between-Satellite Differencing". Gmat.unsw.edu.au. http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/snap/gps/gps_survey/chap6/633.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  72. ^ "Double differencing". Gmat.unsw.edu.au. http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/snap/gps/gps_survey/chap6/635.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  73. ^ "Triple differencing". Gmat.unsw.edu.au. http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/snap/gps/gps_survey/chap6/636.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  74. ^ chapter on root finding and nonlinear sets of equations
  75. ^ Preview of Root Finding. Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=UQW_VL2H56IC&pg=PA959&lpg=PA959&dq=%22Numerical+Analysis%22+multidimension++root+finding&source=web&ots=PLUUjn-33v&sig=P7btHJELgxmVpNI6_SnYjVZvUJc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA442,M1. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  76. ^ Beidou coverage
  77. ^ "Beidou satellite navigation system to cover whole world in 2020". Eng.chinamil.com.cn. http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/china-military-news/2010-05/20/content_4222569.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  78. ^ New York Times
  79. ^ "ASM, News on GIS, GNSS, spatial information, remote sensing, mapping and surveying technologies for Asia". Asmmag.com. http://www.asmmag.com/news/india-to-launch-1st-irnss-satellite-by-december. Retrieved 2009-10-13. [dead link]

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading


 External links