GPS User Support: An Overview of the Dissemination of GPS Outage Information Worldwide

Brian C. Barker

Abstract:	With the significant growth of and dependence upon GPS applications worldwide, the dissemination of accurate, timely satellite outage information has become increasingly important. The 2d Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS), operators of GPS, publish Notice Advisories to NAVSTAR Users (NANU) to inform the user community of forecast and real-time satellite outages. Since September 1996, the types, formats, and distribution of the NANU have changed. Within the first eight months of 1997, several changes to satellite outage distribution have occurred or are being implemented. First, 2 SOPS participated in the 14AF Guardian Tiger Initiative, a working group to consolidate GPS support to the warflghter and key civil agencies. Second, 2 SOPS is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Coast Guard Navigation Information Center to automate GPS outage information distribution to worldwide users. This will include Notice to Airman (NOTAM) and Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM). This paper will discuss the results of these two initiatives. The author will explain the current types and formats of NANUs, how they are sent to users, and how the user can receive them. The author will also discuss the NOTAM and BNM processes.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1997) September 16 - 19, 1997 Kansas City, MO
Pages:	417 - 421
Cite this article:	Barker, Brian C., "GPS User Support: An Overview of the Dissemination of GPS Outage Information Worldwide," Proceedings of the 10th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1997), Kansas City, MO, September 1997, pp. 417-421.
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