A Survey of Commercially Available Positioning Systems

Stephen R. Sampson

Abstract:	The requirement to accurately position and track a moving aircraft, vehicle or vessel requires the user to select from an often bewildering array of commercial positioning systems. Each offers a different combination of range, accuracy, dynamics, operational modes and inherent limitations. · This paper presents a tabular summary of the available commercial systems and their key specifications. Supporting text uses the transmitted frequency band to divide the systems into generic· categories with generally common performance. Within each group, the characteristic capabilities and limitations are discussed. Topics include GDOP, calibration, multipath, skywave, propagation velocities, frequency allocation and measurement ambiguities. The reader will find the paper provides the basic navigation aids required to chart a safe course through the maze of systems available.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1985 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 15 - 17, 1985 San Diego, CA
Pages:	162 - 166
Cite this article:	Sampson, Stephen R., "A Survey of Commercially Available Positioning Systems," Proceedings of the 1985 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 1985, pp. 162-166.
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