ION Technical Content
The DMA GPS Tracking Network
| Abstract: | The Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) developed and deployed a worldwide Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking network in the mid 1980’s. This tracking network consists of five monitor stations located in Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Ecuador, and the United Kingdom (UK). The network continuously collects and regularly communicates two-frequency range and phase measurements and meteorological data to the DMA satellite ephemerides processing facility in Brookmont MD. On a weekly basis these data, along with data from the Air Force GPS tracking network, are processed to produce precise ephemerides that provide quality assurance for the GPS broadcast ephemerides and support the DMA precise point positioning programs. In 1992, DMA determined that it would upgrade its GPS tracking network. This decision was based on several factors: the need to be able to track GPS satellite signals with anti-spoofing (A-S), the need to reduce network operations and maintenance costs, and the need to stay abreast of technology to assure the continued improvement in the quality of the DMA precise ephemerides. This paper describes the development of the DMA GPS tracking network and the network’s current systems and processes. This description establishes the basis for discussions regarding the DMA program underway with Applied Research Laboratories, The University of Texas at Austin (ARL:UT) to upgrade the tracking network to provide GPS tracking in an A-S environment, very high network data availability, and the ability to remotely operate and maintain the network from a single site in the United States. |
| Published in: |
Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993) June 21 - 23, 1993 Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA |
| Pages: | 487 - 494 |
| Cite this article: | Roth, Ben, Renfro, Brent, "The DMA GPS Tracking Network," Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1993), Cambridge, MA, June 1993, pp. 487-494. |
| Full Paper: |
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