Preparation for Upcoming Multi Constellation GBAS Concepts

T. Feuerle, B. von Wulfen, U. Bestmann, M. Steen, P. Hecker, A. Lipp

Abstract:	Satellite based Navigation Systems (Global Navigation Satellite System GNSS) will become a major element in the navigation infrastructure of the future. In addition to classical en-route and terminal navigation, where GNSS is increasingly used, approach and landing procedures are being developed and implemented based on GNSS. To meet the requirements of integrity, accuracy, continuity and availability for precision approach and landing operations augmentation systems are needed. Currently there are two augmentation systems for these periods of flight available: Ground Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS) and Space Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS). For GBAS Ground Stations which are capable to provide Category I (CAT I) equivalent approaches, several standardizing documents are already prepared and published by ICAO, FAA, EUROCAE, RTCA and ARINC. Besides the western manufactures of GBAS airborne and ground equipment a Russian company has also developed GBAS equipment based on the ICAO SARPS. In addition to the GPS signals used by western equipment the Russian equipment is also capable of using a dual satellite constellation – GLONASS and GPS. Several ground- and flight trials have been performed in recent years with the research aircraft of TU Braunschweig (see Figure 1) in order to evaluate the compatibility and interoperability of the different GBAS components which are available on the market worldwide. In Europe many of these trials and evaluations were performed by the TU Braunschweig under EUROCONTROL contract, which has provided a significant experience base. Only the Russian components had not been included in such interoperability trials in the past. A series of trials starting in 2006 and completed through the activities described in the paper has covered this aspect, as well as providing a first insight into the technical and operational aspects involving the sue of multiple GNSS constellations. The paper describes these aspects and discusses the interoperability trials with their current status and findings. Special focus is provided on the impact of these trials on GBAS standardization activities. Multi-constellation concepts are the long term perspective of GNSS based precision approaches. In the meantime complementary concepts are under development, e.g. aircraft based augmentation systems. In parallel to the afore mentioned interoperability and multi-constellation trials the TU Braunschweig had continued its research activities in the area of GPS-GBAS-INS coupled onboard systems. Initial results have been presented in [5]. The extension of the coupled system, evaluation of flight trials and comparison of different protection level calculation methods are presented in this paper. Finally, the Galileo Test Environment “aviationGATE” at the research airport of Braunschweig with its capabilities and its planned expansions as a test bed for GBAS multi constellation research is presented. The possibilities and limitations of such a test environment for early GBAS CAT II/III (GAST-D and multi-constellation) prototype equipment and system concepts will be discussed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009) September 22 - 25, 2009 Savannah International Convention Center Savannah, GA
Pages:	1169 - 1174
Cite this article:	Feuerle, T., von Wulfen, B., Bestmann, U., Steen, M., Hecker, P., Lipp, A., "Preparation for Upcoming Multi Constellation GBAS Concepts," Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009), Savannah, GA, September 2009, pp. 1169-1174.
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