Tracking Translated GPS Signals

James Danaher, Jacques Beser, Mark Miller

Abstract:	Global Positioning System (GPS) translator signals have been used to track Navy Trident Fleet Ballistic Missile test launches since 1974. Absolute position accuracies of better than 20 meters real-time and 8 meters post-mission have been consistently demonstrated. A 40 cubic inch translator has been developed for the SD1 Exoatmospheric Re-entry Vehicle Interceptor Subsystem (ERIS) program by the Range Applications Joint Program Office (RAJPO). The Western Space and Missile Center (WSMC) has sponsored research into the development of GPS translator processors based on predominantly off-the-shelf equipment. The WSMC-sponsored Translator Record and Interface System (TRIS) will track high-dynamic test vehicles. TRIS consists of commercially available telemetry equipment, a custom Signal Conditioning Unit (SCU) and existing RAJPO GPS tracking and navigation boards. Modifications to the existing RAJPO navigation Kalman filter will support operation with translated measurements. A working prototype of TRIS was tested with signals from a stationary GPS translator. The prototype demonstrated use of commercially available telemetry equipment for the S-band receiver and pre-detection record/playback functions of TRIS. A TRIS prototype that can track maneuvering vehicles is planned for 1991.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 3rd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1990) September 19 - 21, 1990 The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Spring, CO
Pages:	345 - 353
Cite this article:	Danaher, James, Beser, Jacques, Miller, Mark, "Tracking Translated GPS Signals," Proceedings of the 3rd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1990), Colorado Spring, CO, September 1990, pp. 345-353.
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