GPS Open Air Testing - An Australian Perspective

Scott Wallis, Gary Fielke

Abstract:	Restrictions on GPS jamming have caused most test organisations to rely on modeling, simulations and laboratory testing. This type of work is based on assumptions about environmental and host vehicle variables. These assumptions, or extrapolations, might not be valid in the real world. Invalid testing could have capability and legal consequences. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has conducted a number of GPS jamming trials at Woomera since 1995 to test the military effectiveness of GPS during jamming. Australian civilian organisations have also recognised the benefits of conducting equipment trials rather than relying on third party advice that might be based on incomplete testing. Air Services Australia (AsA), for instance, subjected commercial GPS equipment to interference at Woomera in March 1998. These trials were undertaken without restrictions and demonstrated the viability of Woomera for GPS jamming tests. The results of the above trials have justified the need to conduct further tests of both military and commercial receivers. Future trials are now expected for most non-maritime military platforms equipped with GPS. Interference (intentional or unintentional) can significantly affect the operation of GPS equipment. Failure of GPS through jamming could lead to a loss of capability or even loss of life. Open air jamming is the best way to ensure the validity of modeling, simulation and laboratory tests. The Australian DoD believes GPS Open Air Testing (GOAT) is essential to validate GPS jamming/interference modeling and laboratory testing. Woomera is able to support full system unrestricted far field open air jamming trails - the only such land range in the world.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 55th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1999) June 27 - 30, 1999 Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA
Pages:	597 - 601
Cite this article:	Wallis, Scott, Fielke, Gary, "GPS Open Air Testing - An Australian Perspective," Proceedings of the 55th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1999), Cambridge, MA, June 1999, pp. 597-601.
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