GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation

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GEO augmented navigation system
TypeRegional satellite-based augmentation system
Developers Indian Space Research Organisation, Airports Authority of India
Accuracy1.5 m or 4 ft 11 in (horizontal),
2.5 m or 8 ft 2 in (vertical)
Launched2001
Orbital radius26,600 km (approx)
Max operational life15 years
Fully operational by2013–14 [1]
Project cost ₹ 774 crore (US$97 million)

The GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation (GAGAN) is an implementation of a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) by the Government of India. [2] It is a system to improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals. [3] The Airports Authority of India (AAI)'s efforts towards implementation of operational SBAS can be viewed as the first step towards introduction of modern communication, navigation and surveillance / air traffic management system over the Indian airspace. [4]

Contents

The project has established fifteen Indian reference stations, three Indian navigation land uplink stations, three Indian mission control centres, and installation of all associated software and communication links. [5] It will be able to help pilots to navigate in the Indian airspace by an accuracy of 3 m (9.8 ft) This will be helpful for landing aircraft in marginal weather and difficult approaches like Mangalore International and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airports.

Implementation

The ₹ 774 crore (US$97 million) project was created in three phases through 2008 by the Airports Authority of India with the help of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) technology and space support. [6] The goal is to provide navigation system for all phases of flight over the Indian airspace and in the adjoining area. It is applicable to safety-to-life operations, and meets the performance requirements of international civil aviation regulatory bodies.

The space component became available after the launch of the GAGAN payload on the GSAT-8 communication satellite, which was successfully launched. This payload was also part of the GSAT-4 satellite that was lost when the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) failed during launch in April 2010. A final system acceptance test was conducted during June 2012 followed by system certification during July 2013. [6]

All aircraft being registered in India after 1 July 2021 are mandated to be outfitted with GAGAN equipment. [7]

Technology

To begin implementing a satellite-based augmentation system over the Indian airspace, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) codes for L1 frequency and L5 frequency were obtained from the United States Air Force and the United States Department of Defense in November 2001 and March 2005. [4] The system will use eight reference stations located in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Jammu and Port Blair, and a master control centre at Bengaluru. United States defence contractor Raytheon has stated they will bid to build the system. [8]

Technology demonstration

A national plan for satellite navigation including implementation of technology demonstration system (TDS) over the Indian air space as a proof of concept had been prepared jointly by AAI and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master Control Centre (MCC) located near Bengaluru. Preliminary system acceptance testing has been successfully completed in December 2010. [6] The ground segment for GAGAN, which has been put up by the Raytheon, has fifteen reference stations scattered across the country. Two mission control centres, along with associated uplink stations, have been set up at Kundalahalli in Bengaluru. One more control centre and uplink station are to come up at Delhi. As a part of the programme, a network of eighteen total electron content (TEC) monitoring stations were installed at various locations in India to study and analyse the behaviour of the ionosphere over the Indian region.

GAGAN's TDS signal in space provides a 3 m (9.8 ft) accuracy as against the requirement of 7.6 m (25 ft). Flight inspection of GAGAN signal is being carried out at Calicut International, Rajiv Gandhi International, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International and Kempegowda International airports and the results have been satisfactory so far.

Study of Ionosphere

One essential component of the GAGAN project is the study of the ionospheric behaviour over the Indian region. This has been specially taken up in view of the uncertain nature of the behaviour of the ionosphere in the region. The study will lead to the optimisation of the algorithms for the ionospheric corrections in the region.

To study the ionospheric behaviour more effectively over entire Indian airspace, Indian universities and research and development labs, which are involved in the development of regional based ionotropic model for GAGAN, have suggested nine more TEC stations. [4]

Technology Integration

GAGAN is now in operational phase and is compatible with other SBAS systems such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and the MTSAT Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) and will provide seamless air navigation service across regional boundaries. [9] While the ground segment consists of fifteen reference stations and a master control centre, which will have sub systems such as data communication network, SBAS correction and verification system, operations and maintenance system, performance monitoring display and payload simulator, Indian land uplinking stations will have dish antenna assembly. The space segment will consist of one geo-navigation transponder.

Effective flight-management system

A flight management system based on GAGAN will then be poised to save operators time and money by managing climb, descent and engine performance profiles. The FMS will improve the efficiency and flexibility by increasing the use of operator-preferred trajectories. It will improve airport and airspace access in all weather conditions, and the ability to meet the environmental and obstacle clearance constraints. It will also enhance reliability and reduce delays by defining more precise terminal area procedures that feature parallel routes and environmentally optimised airspace corridors.

Developments

The first GAGAN transmitter was integrated into the GSAT-4 geostationary satellite, and had a goal of being operational in 2008. [10] [11] Following a series of delays, GSAT-4 was launched on 15 April 2010, however it failed to reach orbit after the third stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk.II that was carrying it malfunctioned. [12]

In 2009, Raytheon had won an $82 million contract. It was mainly dedicated to modernise Indian air navigation system. [13] The vice president of Command and Control Systems, Raytheon Network Centric Systems, Andy Zogg commented:

GAGAN will be the world's most advanced air navigation system and further reinforces India's leadership in the forefront of air navigation. GAGAN will greatly improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance communications to meet India's growing air traffic management needs [13]

In 2012, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) received a "miniaturised version" of the device with all the features from Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The module weighing just 17 g (0.60 oz), can be used in multiple platforms ranging from aircraft (e.g. winged or rotor-craft) to small boats, ships. Reportedly, it can also assist "survey applications". It is a cost-efficient device and can be of "tremendous" civilian use. The navigation output is composed of GPS, GLONASS and GPS+GLONASS position, speed and time data. According to a statement released by the DRDO, G3oM is a state-of-the-art technology receiver, integrating Indian GAGAN as well as both global positioning system and GLONASS systems. [14]

According to Deccan chronicle:

G. Satheesh Reddy, associate director of the city-based Research Centre Imarat, said the product is bringing about a quantum leap in the area of GNSS technology and has paved the way for highly miniaturised GNSS systems for the future. [14]

On 30 December 2012, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India provisionally certified the GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN) system to RNP0.1 (required navigation performance, 0.1 nautical miles [0.19 km; 0.12 mi]) service level. The certification enabled aircraft fitted with SBAS equipment to use GAGAN signal in space for navigation purposes. [15]

Satellites

GSAT-8 is an Indian geostationary satellites, which was successfully launched using Ariane 5 on 21 May 2011 and is positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 55 degrees E longitude.

GSAT-10 is envisaged to augment the growing need of Ku and C-band transponders and carries 12 Ku Band, 12 C Band and 12 Extended C Band transponders and a GAGAN payload. The spacecraft employs the standard I-3K structure with power handling capability of around 6 kW with a lift off mass of 3,400 kg (7,500 lb). GSAT-10 was successfully launched by Ariane 5 on 29 September 2012. [6]

GSAT-15 carries 24 Ku band transponders with India coverage beam and a GAGAN payload. was successfully launched on 10 November 2015, 21:34:07 UTC, completing the constellation.

Indian regional navigation satellite system (NAVIC)

The Indian government has stated that it intends to use the experience of creating the GAGAN system to enable the creation of an autonomous regional navigation system called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), operationally known as NavIC (acronym for Navigation with Indian Constellation). [16]

IRNSS-1 Indian regional navigational satellite system (IRNSS)-1, the first of the seven satellites of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System constellation, carries a navigation payload and a C-band ranging transponder. The spacecraft employs an optimised I-1K structure with a power handling capability of around 1660W and a lift off mass of 1,425 kg (3,142 lb), and is designed for a nominal mission life of 10 years. The first satellite of IRNSS constellation was launched onboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) (C22) on 1 July 2012. While the full constellation was planned to be realised during 2014 time frame, launch of subsequent satellites was delayed.[ citation needed ]

Currently all seven satellites are in orbit but in 2017 it was announced that all three rubidium based atomic clocks on board IRNSS-1A had failed, mirroring similar failures in the Galileo constellation. The first failure occurred in July 2016, following which two other clocks also failed. This rendered the satellite somewhat redundant and required replacement. Although the satellite still performs other functions, the data is coarse, and thus cannot be used for accurate measurements. ISRO plans to replace it with IRNSS-1H in July or August 2017.

Two more clocks in the navigational system had started showing signs of abnormality, thereby taking the total number of failed clocks to five.

As a precaution to extend the operational life of navigation satellite, ISRO is running only one rubidium atomic clock instead of two in the remaining six satellites. Each satellite has three clocks, therefore a total of 27 clocks for all satellites in the system (including standby satellites). The clocks of both IRNSS and GALILEO were supplied by SpectraTime. ISRO replaced the atomic clocks in two standby NavIC satellites. The setback comes at a time when IRNSS is yet to start commercial operations.

Applications

Karnataka Forest Department has used GAGAN to build a new, accurate and publicly available satellite based database of its forestlands. This is a followup to the Supreme Court directive to states to update and put up their respective forest maps. The geospatial database of forestlands pilot has used data from the Cartosat-2 satellite. The maps are meant to rid authorities of ambiguities related to forest boundaries and give clarity to forest administrators, revenue officials as also the public, according to R.K. Srivastava, chief conservator of forests (headquarters). [17]

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) along with AAI has launched a new satellite-based GEMINI (Gagan Enabled Mariner's Instrument for Navigation and Information) system that will alert deep-sea fishermen of upcoming disasters. The GEMINI app on the cellphone decodes the signals from GEMINI device and alerts the user on imminent threats like cyclones, high waves, strong winds along with PFZ and search and rescue mission.

Various Indian manufactured missiles including the BrahMos will use GAGAN for guidance. [18]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian National Satellite System</span> Series of multipurpose geo-stationary satellites launched by ISRO

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wide Area Augmentation System</span> System that enhances the accuracy of GPS receivers

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satellite navigation</span> Use of satellite signals for geo-spatial positioning

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">GNSS augmentation</span> Method of improving a navigation system

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System</span> Satellite navigation system

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Control Facility</span> Space research facility in Hassan, India

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IRNSS-1D is a satellite in the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation. The satellite is the fourth of seven in the constellation, launched after IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B and IRNSS-1C. The satellite is the only satellite in the constellation slated to provide navigational services to the region. The satellite will be placed in geosynchronous orbit. It was launched successfully on 28 March 2015 onboard ISRO's PSLV-C27 from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">IRNSS-1F</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">IRNSS-1G</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">IRNSS-1H</span>

IRNSS-1H was the eighth in the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) series of satellites, after IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F and IRNSS-1G. It was lost in the launch failure of PSLV-C39 on August 31, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IRNSS-1I</span>

IRNSS-1I is the eighth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) series of satellites, in reality, IRNSS - 1I is the ninth satellite that launched in IRNSS constellation but it is counting as eighth satellite because IRNSS - 1I is an eighth satellite that has launched successfully in IRNSS constellation. ISRO already launched IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F, IRNSS-1G and IRNSS-1H. The satellite is intended to replace the failed IRNSS-1A, and complete the constellation of geosynchronous navigation satellites after IRNSS-1H failed to do so. The satellite's assembly, integration and testing is partly done by a consortium of six small firms led by Alpha Design Technologies, a Bengaluru-based aerospace firm under URSC's supervision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NVS-01</span>

NVS-01 is the first in the series of second generation navigation satellite and the ninth satellite in the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), with an alternate name of, IRNSS-1J. It will augment the existing satellite and bolster the capability of the NavIC constellation by adding more robustness and new features. ISRO already launched IRNSS 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H and 1I. The satellite is intended to replace IRNSS-1G and augment the constellation of geosynchronous navigation satellites after IRNSS-1I.

References

  1. ↑ "Soon, safety in the sky as GPS-aided Gagan set to take off", The Times of India , archived from the original on 8 January 2014
  2. ↑ "Ensuring safety and reliabity through indigenous satellite navigation system GAGAN". Times of India Blog. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  3. ↑ "India Approves Gagan System". Magazine article. Asian Surveying and Mapping. 15 September 2008. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 GAGAN Update Dr. Arjin Singh, Additional GM, Directorate of Global Navigation System, Airport Authority of India Archived 28 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ "GAGAN system ready for operations - The Hindu". The Hindu . 11 January 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Satellite Navigation – GAGAN". ISRO website. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "NavIC and GAGAN System Update" (PDF). 28 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Raytheon to bid for geosynchronous augmented navigation system (GAGAN) Project
  9. ↑ "GAGAN - Navipedia". gssc.esa.int. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  10. ↑ ISRO, Raytheon complete tests for GAGAN satellite navigational system. Archived 5 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine India Defense Website. 20 June 2006.
  11. ↑ K.N. Suryanarayana Rao and S. Pal. The Indian SBAS System – GAGAN Archived 2 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine . Abstract from the India-United States Conference on Space Science, Applications, and Commerce. June 2004.
  12. ↑ Subramanian, T. S. (15 April 2010). "India's indigenous GSLV D3 rocket fails in mission". The Hindu. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  13. 1 2 "Raytheon Wins $82M Air Navigation Contract From India". GovCon Wire. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  14. 1 2 17-gm device to guide missiles Archived 5 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine Deccan Chronicle.
  15. ↑ "GAGAN System Certified for RNP0.1 Operations". 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  16. ↑ SATNAV Industry Meet 2006 Archived 31 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine . ISRO Space India Newsletter. April – September 2006 Issue.
  17. ↑ GAGAN kicks off new forest database. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2015-04-21.
  18. ↑ "Desi G3OM Makes BrahMos Smarter". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 December 2021.

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