Capacity Study of Two Potential Alternative Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) Services for Aviation

S.C. Lo, P. Enge

Abstract:	The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking to develop alternative position navigation and timing (APNT) systems in order to minimize the impact of a degradation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The developed APNT system needs to have capabilities beyond those provided by currently existing FAA ground based navigation aids are needed. Ideally, the APNT system will be based on existing or soon-to-be existing FAA systems and infrastructure. Three promising technologies currently being investigated: 1) an improved distance measuring equipment (DME) infrastructure, 2) passive multilateration (MLAT), and 3) ground based “pseudolites”.As the purpose of APNT is to maintain operations for prolonged periods even in the absence of GPS, it must be able to handle the full capacity of future airspace. In2025, it is anticipated the air traffic in the United States will increase at least twofold over the current (2010)levels. As both DME and MLAT are capacity limited, it is important to understand their capacity to fully consider these systems. We also need to consider potential changes to the system and how they may affect capacity.This paper examines the capacity of these systems, particularly in the context of APNT.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2011 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 24 - 26, 2011 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, CA
Pages:	192 - 205
Cite this article:	Lo, S.C., Enge, P., "Capacity Study of Two Potential Alternative Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) Services for Aviation," Proceedings of the 2011 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 2011, pp. 192-205.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In