GNSS

First high-orbit GLONASS satellite in 2028

Russia plans to launch the first of the six high-orbit GLONASS satellites into orbit in 2028, according to the head of the GLONASS Application Division in the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Ivan Revnivykh. Such satellites will be able to transmit two navigational signals with code division in the L1 and L2 frequency bands and improve the accuracy and accessibility of services in complex conditions, in particular, in the Arctic. https://tass.com/science

Protecting third-party timing receivers from cyber attacks

ADVA has extended its Ensemble Sync Director GNSS assurance software to integrate any third-party vendor’s GNSS receiver observables at scale. A key pillar of ADVA’s Ensemble Sync Director can now transparently show and analyze GNSS observables from third-party receivers in even the largest deployments. This is key as synchronization based on satellite signals is vulnerable to failure, interference and cyberthreats, and so network operators urgently need to protect their critical timing with continuous monitoring and assurance. Now, they have the power to remotely detect issues with GNSS receivers from any vendor, helping to maintain high-quality timing performance, avoid disruptions and reduce operating costs. www.adva.com

i83 IMU-RTK GNSS receiver by CHC navigation

CHC Navigation has announced the availability of the i83 GNSS receiver, an addition to its premium GNSS receiver series for surveying, mapping and construction professionals. It is powered by a 1408-channel multi-band GNSS receiver, the latest iStar technology, and a calibrationfree, high-end inertial measurement unit (IMU) for faster and reliable field GNSS surveying. The third-generation highgain antenna with the latest advanced CHCNAV iStar algorithm improves GNSS satellite signal tracking efficiency by more than 30%. www.chcnav.com

Flight trials by AAI using GAGAN based LPV approach procedure

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has successfully conducted at Kishangarh Airport, Rajasthan light trial using GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) based LPV Approach Procedures. The successful trial is a great achievement and major milestone in field of Air Navigation Services (ANS) in the history of Indian Civil Aviation Sector. India is the first country in Asia Pacific Region to achieve such a landmark.

LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) permits aircraft guided approaches that are operationally nearly equivalent to Cat-IILS, without the need for ground-based navigational infrastructure. The service relies on the availability of GPS and GAGAN Geo Stationary Satellites (GSAT-8, GSAT- 10 and GSAT-15), launched by ISRO.

GAGAN is an Indian Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) jointly developed by AAI and ISRO. It is the first such system developed for India and neighboring countries in the equatorial region. GAGAN System was certified by DGCA in 2015 for Approach with Vertical Guidance (APV 1) and enroute (RNP 0.1) operations. There are only four Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world namely India (GAGAN), US(WAAS) Europe (EGNOS) and Japan (MSAS).

Indigo Airlines using its ATR aircraft has flown an Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) with LPV minima of 250ft, using GAGAN Service. The tests at Kishangarh Airport were performed as part of initial GAGAN LPV flight trials along with DGCA team on- board. After the final approval by DGCA, the procedure will be available for usage of commercial flights.

LPV is a Satellite Based Procedure which has been used by the aircraft for landing purpose at Kishangarh Airport (Rajasthan). LPV approaches will make it possible to land at airports not equipped with expensive Instrument Landing Systems, which includes many small regional and local airports. Lowering the decision height up to 250 ft provides a substantial operational benefit in poor weather and low visibility conditions. Thus, any airport which hitherto would require higher visibility minima, will be able to accept aircraft benefitting remote airports which are devoid of precision approach capability equipment.

Number of airports including airports under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) are being surveyed for development of GAGAN based LPV Instrument Approach Procedures so that suitably equipped aircraft can derive maximum benefit in terms of improved safety during landing, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in delays, diversions and cancellations etc.

Design of GAGAN procedures require meticulous survey of the airport environment surroundings and obstacle surfaces. These data are correlated with the complex aircraft approach maneuvers and further simulated in a software to ensure safety of the procedure designed. These procedures can be developed for any of the airport in India for landing without help of Instrument Landing System.These types of procedures make aircraft to land in low visibility condition almost equivalent to Category-1 Instrument Landing System (ILS). Currently Indigo (35), SpiceJet (21), Air India (15), Go First (04), Air Asia (01) and other airlineshave aircraft in their fleet capable to use these LPV procedures. Airports Authority of India has developed 22 such procedures and some are under process of approval from DGCA for commercial flight operations. In line with Govt. of India initiative of AtamNirbhar Bharat, development of LPV procedures for all civil airports is also in progress to make Indian civil aviation sector more self-reliant. www.aai.aero