Raytheon completed preliminary test for GAGAN
Raytheon Company, UK successfully completed the Preliminary System Acceptance Test for the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation- Technology Demonstration System (GAGAN-TDS). “This test was significant because the GAGAN-TDS ground elements supplied by Raytheon were installed and integrated ahead of schedule,” said Andy Zogg, Vice President of Raytheon’s Airspace Management and Homeland Security Business. “More importantly, the system functioned properly and exceeded the accuracy requirements.
The GAGAN-TDS network monitors the Global Positioning Satellite signals for errors and then generates correction messages to improve the accuracy of endusers’ position solution.
During the test period, average accuracy was better than one meter (3.3 feet) horizontally and only slightly more than one meter vertically, thus surpassing the 7.6 meter (25 feet) requirement by a significant margin. GAGAN-TDS is the first phase of a project sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to implement a space-based navigation system in Indian airspace. www.prnewswire.com

Google offers live traffic maps on cell phones
Google has announced that it is offering mobile phone users to view highway maps with live traffic data. Available initially in 30 U.S. cities, Google Maps for mobile will show traffic, with road conditions highlighted in three colors: red means congested, yellow & orange means slowdowns and green for open traffic. The service combines satellite imagery, directions, and traffic data – – completely free. One can check out the service by going to http://google. com/gmm on mobile phone. Currently,
it’s only available in the U.S. market.

Trimble tracks Galileo GIOVEA test satellite signal
Trimble has announced that it has successfully acquired and tracked the L1 BOC (1,1) Galileo GIOVE-A test satellite signal using a combined GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo prototype receiver. In addition to tracking the test satellite, Trimble has also announced that its Zephyr Geodetic II antenna is compatible with all current or planned GPS and GLONASS frequencies and the planned Galileo signals now. www.trimble.com

Instead of copying WGS 84, India should explore the opportunity …

says Lt Gen Dilip N Desai, Director General Information …

Galileo already over budget
Galileo Joint Undertaking, the organisation leading European development of a global satellite navigation system, has admitted it is already €404 million ($513 million) over budget, mainly due to miscalculating the cost of building and launching two technology pathfinder spacecraft, the first of which, GIOVE-A, was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in December. The total budget for the Galileo programme, which will comprise 30 operational satellites, will be about €4.5 billion, of which €1.5 billion has already been spent. Initially, a foursatellite constellation of operational spacecraft will be launched.
www.flightglobal.com

INDUSTRY | LBS | GPS | GIS | REMOTE SENSING | GALILEO UPDATE

Galileo – the European Programme for Global Navigation …

There are numerous types of GPS receivers in the current international marketplace, ranging from inexpensive, low accuracy handheld devices to expensive, high precision geodetic equipment. By and large, low–cost GPS receivers (whether sold as a plug– in hardware device or as a complete navigation and positioning receiver) have almost assumed mass market status in the consumer electronics industry. Recent advances in micro and wireless technology, reductions in consumer costs, and the apparent growth of the Location Based Services (LBS) industry have somewhat fuelled the need for mobile (information communications and technology) consumers to become “location aware”.

Readers may recall that Coordinates printed Implementation Guidelines of the Indian National Map Policy (NMP) in June. We present here some more observations

IRNSS to be independent of other constellations
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be establishing a satellite navigation system on the lines of the US GPS. The proposed Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), which will consist of a constellation of eight satellites, is likely to be operational in six years time.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Rs 1,600 crore project in May this year. According to Madhavan Nair, Chairman ISRO the IRNSS would be developed indigenously and will be independent of other constellations.