How Constellation Design Affects GPS Users in Mountainous Terrain

P. Massatt, F. Fritzen, S. Scuro, K. O'Neill

Abstract:	This paper describes the modeling and summarizes the results of analyses performed by The Aerospace Corporation to assess the effect of constellation size and number of orbit planes (3 or 6) on GPS accuracy and availability for users in mountainous terrain and foliage. These analyses are part of a larger trade study that includes an overall assessment of the effects of constellation size and number of orbit planes on navigation performance using both global statistics and evaluations of performance for disadvantaged users in mountainous and urban areas. The GPS Independent Review Team and the 50th Space Wing of the United States Air Force directed the study, and the GPS Joint Program Office funded the study.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2006) September 26 - 29, 2006 Fort Worth Convention Center Fort Worth, TX
Pages:	1506 - 1515
Cite this article:	Massatt, P., Fritzen, F., Scuro, S., O'Neill, K., "How Constellation Design Affects GPS Users in Mountainous Terrain," Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2006), Fort Worth, TX, September 2006, pp. 1506-1515.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In