Performance of DFMC SBAS Broadcast from non-GEO Satellites in the Arctic Region

Toru Takahashi, Takanori Nishiyama, Mitsunori Kitamura, Susumu Saito, Taishi Hashimoto, Takeyasu Sakai

Abstract:	Arctic aviation and maritime activities are increasing due to sea ice decline, leads the need for safe navigation supported by SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) and ARAIM (Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring). Conventional L1 SBAS is unavailable above latitudes of 72 degree, whereas DFMC (Dual Frequency Multiconstellation) SBAS can be used in polar regions via Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO) satellites. We evaluated DFMC SBAS broadcast from QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) in Ny-Ålesund, Norway. During the geomagnetic storm on January 1, 2025, phase scintillation intensified; however, no DFMC SBAS message missing or positioning error exceeds protection level were observed. From December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, availability reached 99%. These results demonstrate that DFMC SBAS performs robustly in the Arctic, even under geomagnetic storm conditions.
Published in:	Proceedings of the ION 2026 Pacific PNT Meeting April 13 - 16, 2026 Hilton Waikiki Beach Honolulu, Hawaii
Pages:	669 - 673
Cite this article:	Takahashi, Toru, Nishiyama, Takanori, Kitamura, Mitsunori, Saito, Susumu, Hashimoto, Taishi, Sakai, Takeyasu, "Performance of DFMC SBAS Broadcast from non-GEO Satellites in the Arctic Region," Proceedings of the ION 2026 Pacific PNT Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 2026, pp. 669-673. https://doi.org/10.33012/2026.20595
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