Chapter Global navigation satellite systems

18

18.1 GPS overview

Figure 18.1 Delay in sound waves versus

visible light

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18.3 Satellite navigation principles

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18.2 Principles of wave propagation

240 Aircraft communications and navigation systems

Figure 18.3 Global positioning system

segments

18.4.1 Space segment

Figure 18.2 Satellite ranging to determine

position

18.4 GPS segments

Figure 18.4 Typical navigation satellite

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Key point
Three satellites are required to define a unique
two-
A fourth satellite can be used to determine an

18.4.2 Control segment Key point

The principles of satellite navigation are based on
radio wave propagation, precision timing and

earth.

Test your understanding 18.1

How many satellites need to be in view to be able
to calculate a two-dimensional position on the

18.4.3 User segment

Figure 18.5 GPS space segment six
orbits, each with four satellites
242 Aircraft communications and navigation systems

- Figure 18.7 Pulse-coded signals

Figure 18.8 Illustration of pseudorange

Test your understanding 18.2

How many GPS satellites are there and how are
they arranged into orbits?
Figure 18.6 Location of GPS antennas
Global navigation satellite systems
Figure 18.9 Pseudorange and position
fixing with four satellites
Test your understanding 18.3
What is the purpose of the control segment?
Test your understanding 18.4
What is the difference between ephemeris and
almanac data?
18.5 GPS signals
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Key point
Pseudorandom noise (PRN) codes allow all
satellites to transmit at the same frequency. Each
satellite uses a unique PRN code; these carry the
navigation message and are used for acquisition,
tracking and ranging.
Key point
The European satellite-based augmentation
systems (SBAS) are based on EGNOS and
complement existing global navigation satellite
systems (GNSS). SBAS improves accuracy,
integrity, continuity and availability. This is
achieved by measurements from reference
stations; errors are then transferred to a
computing centre, which calculates differential
corrections and integrity messages. These are
broadcast via geostationary satellites as an
augmentation or overlay of the original GNSS
message.
18.6 GNSS Operation
244 Aircraft communications and navigation systems

18.6.1 Selective availability

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18.6.2 GNSS vulnerability

18.6.3 GNSS integration

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18.7.3 Other GNSS

Figure 18.10 Integrated GPS, navigation and

communication panels (courtesy of Avidyne)

18.7 GNSS evolution

18.7.1 European GNSS

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18.8 GNSS augmentation

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18.7.2 Russian GNSS
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246 Aircraft communications and navigation systems

Key point
GNSS/FMS equipment incorporates a RAIM
prediction calculator with fields for destination,
 arrival time and arrival date; these will
produce a RAIM status value for the destination
 location.
RAIM requires redundant satellite range
 - measurements to detect faulty signals and alert

alert during an approach and inside the final

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approach fix, the pilot should immediately
abandon the approach and follow the non-GPS
 missed approach procedures.

18.8.1 Error detection -

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Key point
The current altimeter setting may need to
be manually entered into the receiver as
described in the operating manual.
Global navigation satellite systems 247

Key point
When using baro-VNAV guidance, pilots should
check for any published temperature limitations 18.8.3 Steep approach
on the approach chart which may result in
approach restrictions.

18.8.4 Point in space

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Key point
RAIM algorithms require a minimum of five visible
satellites in order to perform fault detection, i.e.
detecting an unacceptably large position error for
a given mode of flight. FDE uses a minimum of
six satellites, not only to detect a faulty satellite
but also to exclude it from the navigation solution
so that the navigation function can continue
without interruption.

18.9 GNSS The future

18.8.2 Augmented approaches
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248 Aircraft communications and navigation systems

Figure 18.11 Point-in-space (PinS) approach

18.10 Multiple choice questions

Global navigation satellite systems 249

Figure 18.12 See Question 15

Figure 18.13 See Question 16

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