Inverted GPS Range for Modernized GPS Field Testing

Brian L. Bracy, Wayne Mims, Bryant Elrod and Thomas Land

Abstract:	The changes to the Global Positioning System (GPS) signal structure and the addition of a civilian frequency under the GPS modernization effort bring challenges not seen in GPS over the last decade to verifying and validating GPS user equipment (UE). Due to operational requirements, an adequate number of modernized GPS satellites will not be available at one time to test GPS UE in an operational environment. To address the concerns of the GPS test community, an Inverted GPS Range (IGR), similar to the Inverted Range developed at Yuma in the 1970s prior to launch of the GPS Block I satellites, will be developed at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico (NM). The IGR will be managed by the 746th Test Squadron (746 TS), Holloman AFB, NM, also known as the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (CIGTF). ITT Industries, Inc., Advanced Engineering and Sciences Division, is the prime contractor for developing the IGR. The IGR provides a capability to test the modernized GPS signals and UE in a cost effective field environment. The IGR is being developed with Central Test and Evaluation Improvement Program (CTEIP) funds under the GPS Signal Validation (GPS-SV) program. This paper presents the current status of the program, planned capabilities, potential limitations, and issues.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation and CIGTF 21st Guidance Test Symposium (2002) June 24 - 26, 2002 Hyatt Regency Hotel Albuquerque, NM
Pages:	114 - 121
Cite this article:	Bracy, Brian L., Mims, Wayne, Elrod, Bryant, Land, Thomas, "Inverted GPS Range for Modernized GPS Field Testing," Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation and CIGTF 21st Guidance Test Symposium (2002), Albuquerque, NM, June 2002, pp. 114-121.
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