Global Positioning System (GPS) Modernization

C. McGinn, S. Rajotte, D. Latterman

Abstract:	The Global Positioning System (GPS) signal is now the primary means of obtaining precise time to an internationally accepted standard. Precise timing applications have become dependent on this space-based source of precise time and, therefore, depend on the constellation of satellites that provide it worldwide, anytime. This paper describes the efforts by the GPS Joint Program Office within the U.S. Department of Defense to modernize the GPS signal services to meet future military and civil user requirements. GPS timing users and timing receiver developers and integrators need to be aware of these new capabilities and when they will be available. This paper starts with a brief review of the system design and an overview of the current constellation status. The GPS Modernization program to modify the current block of satellites being placed into service and the next generation currently in design to provide additional system capabilities will be described. Next, the paper discusses the GPS-111 program to look at future user requirements beyond the next 20 years for precise positioning and timing services. The paper summarizes what these new capabilities will mean to the GPS timing users and provides some suggestions on what GPS timing users can do to make their future needs known. The paper concludes with some challenges to the user community to support the continued mission of GPS to provide precise positioning and time to all users free of direct charge.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 32th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting November 28 - 30, 2000 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	401 - 414
Cite this article:	McGinn, C., Rajotte, S., Latterman, D., "Global Positioning System (GPS) Modernization," Proceedings of the 32th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, November 2000, pp. 401-414.
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