Inverted Range for GPS Modernization Testing

Philip Simpson, Archie Mac Millan and Andy Chasko

Abstract:	The original concept of GPS was tested using an Inverted Range consisting of a ground-based simulated constellation of GPS satellites. The GPS Modernization Program is adding an additional frequency and four additional signals to the existing GPS signals, and these significant changes require extensive testing years before a constellation of Modernized Satellites is available. The 746th Test Squadron (746TS) at Holloman AFB, in cooperation with the GPS Joint Program Office and Boeing North American, is pursuing the construction of an Inverted GPS Range (IGR) for field testing with the Modernized GPS Signals. The IGR will first be used to test Backwards Compatibility of existing receivers with the Modernized GPS Signals. Testing of modernized receivers will follow as they become available. Evaluation of Navigation Warfare methods and concepts for a modernized environment will also be a key capability of the IGR. All these uses of the IGR are discussed here, although classification issues limit coverage of some topics. Potential limitations, issues and architectural options are also presented. The research reported in this paper was conducted by personnel of the 46 th Test Group (Air Force Materiel Command), Holloman AFB, New Mexico, supported by AMCOMP Corporation personnel under contract F08635- 95-C-0003. Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the U.S. Air Force.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2000 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 26 - 28, 2000 Pacific Hotel Disneyland Anaheim, CA
Pages:	636 - 645
Cite this article:	Simpson, Philip, Millan, Archie Mac, Chasko, Andy, "Inverted Range for GPS Modernization Testing," Proceedings of the 2000 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 2000, pp. 636-645.
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