SATELLITE

NAVIGATION
NALIN JAYARATNE
WHAT IS SATELLITE NAVIGATION?

 Satellite navigation or satnav system is a system that uses satellites to

provide geo-spatial positioning.
 Allows receivers to determine their location information (longitude,
latitude and elevation).
 Hence can be used for navigation, positioning and tracking.
 Can be used to obtain the current local time with high accuracy.
 Satnav operates independently of any telephonic or internet reception,
though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the positioning
information generated.
 Satellite navigation systems with global coverage are termed as Global
Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEMS (GNSS)

Global Positioning System (GPS) GLONASS

 Country: United States of America  Country: Russia
 No. of Satellites in orbit: 31  No. of Satellites in orbit: 24
 First satellite launch: 1978  First satellite launch: 1982
 Accuracy: ~ 2m+  Accuracy: ~3m+
OTHER GNSS SYSTEMS

 BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), China – To be launched by 2020 (currently regional)
 Galileo, European Union – To be launched by 2020

NAVIC coverage
Regional Navigation Systems
 Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), India (Operational name NAVIC)
 Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), Japan
GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEMS (GNSS)

Global coverage can The satellites orbit the

be achieved by a earth at about Orbital period of the
satellite constellation 20,000km above sea satellites ~ 12 hours
of 18-30 satellite level
HOW DOES IT WORK?

The theory behind the GPS system is 3D trilateration

1. GPS satellites broadcast radio signals providing their locations, status, and precise time {t1 } from on-board atomic
clocks.
2. The GPS radio signals travel through space at the speed of light {c}, more than 299,792 km/s.
3. A GPS device receives the radio signals, noting their exact time of arrival {t2}, and uses these to calculate its
distance from each satellite in view.
4. Once a GPS device knows its distance from at least four satellites, it can use geometry to determine its
location on Earth in three dimensions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?

 To calculate its distance from a satellite, a GPS

device applies this formula to the satellite’s signal:

𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 = 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒄 𝒙 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆(𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏)

Where speed is {c} and time is how long the signal

travelled through space.
The signal’s travel time is the difference between the
time broadcast by the satellite {t1 } and the time the
signal is received {t2 }.

Note: The GPS signal is a continuous transmission of a

unique signal on both the GPS satellite and receiver
HOW DOES IT WORK?

Three measurements place the

Two measurements place the location on one of two points.
location on a circle But only one point is on earth!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
If three measurements are sufficient, why does the GPS device require at least four satellites?

 The GPS satellites have extremely stable atomic clocks that are synchronized with one another. GPS receivers
have clocks as well, but they are less stable and less precise (quartz clock).
 Therefore the GPS receiver monitors multiple satellites and solves equations to determine the precise position of
the receiver and its deviation from true time

4 variables: Latitude, Longitude, Elevation,Time;

Hence four known points are required
HOW DOES IT WORK?

GPS satellite signal transmission

 GPS satellites transmit unique signals continuously over two carrier frequencies L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L2
(1227.60 MHz)
L1 – Carries Status message and a pseudo-random code (PRC) for timing
L2 – Carries precise military pseudo-random code
 A pseudo-random code is a complicated sequence of binary code. It is intentionally manufactured to be
complicated (hence the name “pseudo-random”) due to the following reasons,
1. The complex pattern helps make sure that the receiver doesn't accidentally sync up to some other signal.
2. Since each satellite has its own unique Pseudo-Random Code this complexity also guarantees that the receiver won't
accidentally pick up another satellite's signal.
3. To make it more difficult for a hostile force to jam the system.
HOW DOES IT WORK?

There are two types of pseudo-random codes

1. C/A (Coarse Acquisition) code - Basis for civilian GPS use (Modulates L1 carrier at1MHz rate)
2. P (Precise) code – Used for military purposes and can be encrypted (Modulates both the L1 and L2 carriers at a
10MHz rate)
ERRORS IN SATELLITE NAVIGATION

 Assumption that the radio signals will make their way through the atmosphere at a consistent speed (the speed of
light)
➢ The Earth's atmosphere slows the electromagnetic energy down somewhat, particularly as it goes through the
ionosphere (error of approximately16 nanoseconds) and troposphere (error approximately 1.5ns).
➢ The delay varies depending on where you are on Earth, which means it's difficult to accurately factor this into
the distance calculations.
 Radio signals bounce off large objects, such as skyscrapers, giving a receiver the impression that a satellite is
farther away than it actually is.
 Satellite sending incorrect data misreporting its position.
DIFFERENTIAL GPS (DGPS)
DGPS is essentially a system to provide positional
corrections to GPS signals. DGPS uses a fixed, known
position to adjust real time GPS signals to eliminate
pseudo range errors.
 The DGPS hardware at the station already knows
its own position, hence it can easily calculate its
receiver's inaccuracy.
 The station then broadcasts a radio signal to all
DGPS-equipped receivers in the area, providing
signal correction information for that area.
 Access to this correction information makes DGPS
receivers much more accurate than ordinary
receivers.
REAL TIME KINEMATIC (RTK)

 Real Time Kinematic is a technique used to increase the accuracy of GPS signals by
using a fixed base station which wirelessly sends out corrections to a moving
receiver.
 By utilizing these corrections, the GPS engine can fix the position of the antenna
to within 1 - 2cm.
 The technique involves the measurement of the carrier phase of the satellite
signal, which is then subject to statistical analysis to align the phase of these signals
to eliminate most normal GPS type errors.
24hr scatter plot -
RTK plot in blue,
Method GPS DGPS RTK normal GPS in red
Accuracy 5m 10cm 2cm
CONTROL SEGMENT
The GPS control segment
consists of a global network
of ground facilities that
track the GPS satellites,
monitor their transmissions,
perform analyses, and send
commands and data to the
constellation.

The current Operational

Control Segment (OCS)
includes a master control
station, an alternate master
control station, 11
command and control
antennas, and 16 monitoring
sites.
APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE NAVIGATION
Field Uses and Benefits
Agriculture • Precision soil sampling, data collection, and analysis for chemical applications and planting density
• Accurate field navigation
• Ability to work through low visibility field conditions
• Ability to monitor yield data
• Elimination of the need for human "flaggers" increases spray efficiency
Aviation • Continuous, reliable, and accurate positioning information
• Safe, flexible, and fuel-efficient routes for airspace users
• Potential decommissioning and reduction of expensive ground-based navigation facilities
• Reduced aircraft delays due to increased capacity made possible through reduced separation minimums and
more efficient air traffic management, particularly during inclement weather.
Environment • GPS data collection systems complemented with GIS packages provide a means for comprehensive analysis of
environmental concerns.
• GPS data can be quickly analyzed without the preliminary requirement for field data transcription into a digitized
form.
• Accurate tracking of environmental disasters such as fires and oil spills
• Precise positional data from GPS can assist scientists in crustal and seismic monitoring.
• Monitoring and preservation of endangered species can be facilitated through GPS tracking and mapping.
APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE NAVIGATION
Field Uses and Benefits
Marine • Allows access to fast and accurate position, course, and speed information, saving navigators time
and fuel through more efficient traffic routing.
• Enhances efficiency and economy for container management in port facilities.
• Increases safety and security for vessels using the AIS (Automatic Identification System).
Public safety • Deliver disaster relief to areas in a more timely and accurate manner, saving lives and restoring
& disaster critical infrastructure.
relief • Provide position information for mapping of disaster regions where little or no mapping information
is available.
• Enhance capability for flood prediction and monitoring of seismic precursors and events.
• Provide positional information about individuals with mobile phones and in vehicles in case of
emergency.
Rail • Increased situational awareness for improved safety of trains and maintenance crews.
• Prevention of collisions, derailments, work zone incursions, and rail switch errors.
• Increased capacity and efficiency for all rail users. Automated track surveys and inspections.
• Time synchronization for communication systems.
APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE NAVIGATION
Field Uses and Benefits
Recreation • Highly accurate all-weather positioning information using GPS receivers helps outdoor adventurers
with safer exploration anywhere in the world.
• Ability to return to favorite fishing spots, trails, campsites or other locations with precision year
after year, despite changing terrain conditions.
• New and interesting activities (based solely on the capabilities of GPS) are developed every day by
outdoor enthusiasts and shared with others.
Roads & • Higher levels of safety and mobility for all surface transportation system users.
Highways • More accurate position determination to provide greater passenger information
• More effective monitoring to ensure schedule adherence, creating a transit system more responsive
to transportation users needs.
• Better location information with electronic maps to provide in-vehicle navigation systems
• Increased efficiencies and reduced costs in surveying roads.
Space • Providing high precision positioning with minimum ground control.
• Replacing high cost, and high mass, on-board sensors.
APPLICATIONS OF SATELLITE NAVIGATION
Field Uses and Benefits
Surveying • Significant productivity gains in terms of time, equipment, and labor required
• Fewer operational limitations compared to conventional techniques.
• Accurate positioning of physical features that can be used in maps and models.
• Faster delivery of geographic information needed by decision makers.
• Centimeter-level surveying results in real-time.
Timing • Widespread availability of atomic clock time, without the atomic clocks.
• Precise synchronization of communications systems, power grids, financial networks, and other
critical infrastructure.
• More efficient use of limited radio spectrum by wireless networks.
• Improved network management and optimization, making traceable time tags possible for financial
transactions and billing.
• Communication of high-precision time among national laboratories using "common view"
techniques.
GPS BLOCK
11/11A
SATELLITE
GPS BLOCK 11R
SATELLITE
GPS BLOCK
11R(M)
SATELLITE
DELTA I1 ROCKET
LAUNCHING
FINAL GPS 11R(M)
SATELLITE,
AUGUST 2009
GPS BLOCK 11F
SATELLITE
 DELTA IV
ROCKET
LAUNCHING
THE FIRST GPS
11F SATELLITE,
MAY 2010
 FALCON 9
ROCKET
LAUNCHING THE
FIRST GPS 111
SATELLITE,
DECEMBER 2018
(PIC COURTESY
OF SPACEX)
 GPS 111
SATELLITE
THANK YOU