Building Ground-Based Elements For GPS
Raytheon has signed a
contract with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Satellite Center for the ground-based elements of the GPS (Global
Positioning System) and GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) Augmented
Navigation (GAGAN) Technology Demonstration System (TDS). The
contract, terms of which were not disclosed, was signed recently in
Bangalore.
GAGAN-TDS, a cooperative effort between Raytheon and ISRO, will
usher in a new era in civil navigation through use of the
space-based augmentation system. When completed, GAGAN will augment
the standard positioning signals from the GPS satellites with an
additional signal to improve the accuracy, integrity, continuity,
and availability of the aircraft receiver. The GAGAN project is
part of a world-wide movement toward space-based navigation, which
has been endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
It will increase safety and efficiency by allowing precision
approaches to all airports and direct routing between
destinations.
The Airports Authority of India is collaborating with ISRO on
the project and will be the agency to place the commissioned system
into operation. Other modes of transportation, such as rail,
maritime, and road traffic, will also be able to use the signal for
a variety of applications.
"Signing the GAGAN contract is a
great development in US-India space and air traffic management
cooperation," said Sue Baumgarten, president, Raytheon
International. "It is another example of the deepening relationship
between our two countries, as well as the expanding opportunities
for Raytheon in India. This is an important relationship for
Raytheon, and we are committed to earning the confidence of our
Indian customers."
Raytheon will develop the hardware and software for the
ground-based elements of GAGAN, which will consist of eight Indian
reference stations, an Indian master control center, and an Indian
land uplink station. All the subsystems will be integrated through
a digital communication system that ISRO will supply, and the
correction messages will be broadcast from a geosynchronous
satellite that ISRO will launch.
"This is a challenging project, both because of its technical
complexity and the high degree of collaboration required for
success," said Bob Eckel, vice president for Raytheon Air Traffic
Management Systems. "We are confident that our excellent
partnership with ISRO and AAI will bring success and set new
standards for efficient and safe air travel."
Raytheon will base its design on WAAS (the Wide Area
Augmentation System), which was commissioned by the US Federal
Aviation Administration in July 2003.