Avionic System Based on Global Navigational Satellite System

S. Fred Singer

Abstract:	The global positioning system (GPS), soon to be fully operational, has several unique advantages for aviation, and makes possible a suite of avionics which is multipurpose, and therefore less space and power consuming. Unique advantages, compared to terrestrially based systems, such as VOR-DME or Loran, are: * Worldwide coverage * Position in all three dimensions, including altitude * Measurement of three-dimensional velocity. * Higher accuracy. Even though the nominal accuracy of the standard signal is about 100 meters, the use of differential GPS (DGPS) and pseudolites (PS) on the ground can improve accuracy into the meter range. With carrier tracking, the accuracy can become a fraction of the wavelength, which is about 20 centimeters. GPS, with appropriate computers and software, is capable of supporting five different on-board functions now requiring separate hardware systems. Thus, GPS can simplify, lower costs, and increase reliability and accuracy of aircraft operations. In 80 percent of the world where air traffic control is minimal or absent, GPS, or an eventual global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based on GPS-like technology, can provide aircraft with autonomous navigation, en­route surveillance, collision avoidance, precision landing system, and wind shear warning. In addition to contributions in the five areas mentioned above, GPS can provide another advantage in that it serves as a precise time source. The fact that all GPS users have access to a common clock, makes it possible to design a simple time-division multiple-access (TDMA) system for synchronizing aircraft communication systems. This could be important to the newly evolving technology of satellite-based aeronautical communication.
Published in:	Proceedings of the International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1988) September 19 - 23, 1988 The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Spring, CO
Pages:	175 - 176
Cite this article:	Singer, S. Fred, "Avionic System Based on Global Navigational Satellite System," Proceedings of the International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1988), Colorado Spring, CO, September 1988, pp. 175-176.
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