173 Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
For Whom Intended Individuals involved in a wide range of activities where GPS systems are or could be used to enhance their activities. This would include: engineering, technical, quality, product procurement and anyone who needs to become familiar with the overall GPS system and the terminology used.
Brief Course Description This course provides an in-depth overview of the Global Positioning System and covers the growth of the GPS concept. Included in the course is a description of the NAVSTAR constellation and the various types of augmented GPS systems. Basic GPS components are covered, including satellites, ground stations, antennas and receivers. Emphasis is placed on signals, timing and false signals including spoofing, jamming and cryptographic concepts.
International GPS systems such as Galileo and GLONASS are discussed. Various GPS applications in transportation, oil and gas exploration, mapping, surveying and communications are discussed. The course concludes with a brief review on the future of GPS and ongoing developments in GPS technology. A useful appendix including information such as a Glossary and definitions is included in the course workbook and provides an excellent reference tool.
Diploma Programs This is a recommended optional course for TTi’s Electronic Telecommunications Specialist Diploma Program and may be used as an optional course for any other TTi Diploma Program.
Prerequisites There are no definite prerequisites for this course. However, this course is aimed toward individuals involved in a related technical field.
Text Each student will receive 180 days access to the on-line electronic course workbook. Renewals and printed textbooks are available for an additional fee.
Course Hours, Certificate and CEUs Class hours/days for on-site courses can vary from 14-35 hours over 2-5 days as requested by our clients. Upon successful course completion, each participant receives a certificate of completion and one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for every ten class hours.
Click for a printable course outline (pdf).
Course Outline
Chapter 1 - Introduction to GPS Systems
- Introduction
- GPS NAVSTAR
- Global Positioning System (GPS) Segments
- Space Segment
- Satellites Placed Into Orbit
- Equipment On Board the Satellites
- Control Segment
- Master Control Station (MCS)
- Ground Monitor Stations
- User Segment
- Common Uses for GPS
- GPS Receivers
- Other Service Provider Nations
Chapter 2 - Classification, Launch Data and Status of GPS Satellites
- GPS Satellite Blocks
- Block I GPS Satellites
- Block II and Block IIA Satellites
- Block IIR Satellites
- Block IIR-M
- Block IIF
- IIF Satellite Specifications
- Block IIIA
- Current GPS Constellation
- Satellite Launches
- Satellite Orbital Prediction and Tracking
Chapter 3 - GPS Ground Support Equipment
- Control Segment
- GPS Control Segment Components
- GPS Control Segment Antennas
- GPS Antennas
- FRPA Specifications
- GPS Antenna Gain
- GPS Smart Antenna
- Monitor StationsMaster Control Station (MCS)
Chapter 4 - Atomic Clocks
- What is an Atomic Clock?
- Atomic Clocks used in GPS
- Cesium Clocks
- Rubidium (Rb) Clock
- Hydrogen Maser Clock
- NIST-F1 and F2 Cesium Fountain Atomic Clocks
- US Naval Observatory (USNO) Clock Ensemble
- USNO (MC) and Master Clock 2 (MC #2)
- The USNO Alternate Master Clock (AMC)
- GPS Satellite Atomic Clocks
- GPS Precise Clock for Wireless Infrastructure
Chapter 5 - GPS Signals
- Satellite Signals
- Satellite Frequency Bands
- Carrier Frequency and GPS Accuracy
- GPS Signal Evolution
- GPS Satellite Frequency Bands
- Signal Power from Satellites
- New Civilian GPS Signals
- GPS L2C Signal
- L5 GPS Signal
- L1C GPS Signal
- Codeless or Semi-Codeless GPS
- How Codeless or Semi-Codeless GPS works
- Legacy GPS Signals
- Standard and Precise Positioning Service
- Modulation of Legacy Carrier Signals
- Pseudorandom noise (PRN) code
- Coarse Acquisition Code (C/A-code)
- Precision (P-code)
- P(Y)-Code
- Spread Spectrum Signal
- Definitions of Terminology
- Navigation (NAV) Message
- Legacy Navigation Message (LNAV)
- Civilian Navigation Message (CNAV)
- Important Changes in CNAV Message
- NMEA Data Format
- NMEA Messages
- Example, NMEA Message Structure
- NMEA2000
Chapter 6 - Time Measurement and GPS
- Time and GPS
- USNO – BIPM Correlation
- What are Leap Seconds?
- GPS System Time
- GPS Time Transfer
- How a GPS Receiver Computes UTC (USNO)
- Precise Time Reference Station (PTRS)
- Common-View Oscillator
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Timing Services (TMAS) Provided by NIST
- Cellular Technology
- Cellular Technology and GPS Time
- Network Time Protocol (NTP) vs GPS Time
Chapter 7 - Triangulation, Dilution of Precision
- Coordinate Systems for Triangulation: ECI vs. ECEF
- Satellite Locations -- Earth-Centered Inertial system
- Receiver Locations -- Earth-Centered Earth-Fixed system
- Triangulation
- Determining Signal Travel Time
- Distance Measuring
- Determination of User Position
- Range Measurement Calculation
- Calculation of User Position
- “Code-Phase” and “Carrier-Phase”
- Dilution Of Precision (DOP)
- Types of DOP
- Example: DOP in Two Dimensions
- GPS Multipath Errors
- Error and Map Problems
Chapter 8 - Differential GPS; Augmentation
- Differential GPS (DGPS)
- Types of Differential Coverage
- Wide Area Differential System
- Local Differential GPS Positioning
- Wide Area Augmentation GPS (WAAS)
- Benefits of WAAS System to Civil Aviation
- Other WAAS-like Systems
- Local Area Augmentation
Chapter 9 - Signal Security
- Extent of GPS Dependencies
- Jamming and Spoofing
- Signal Interference or Jamming
- NGA and JLOC
- Intentional or Unintentional Jamming
- Banned Jamming Devices in Widespread Use
- Resistance to Jamming
- Ongoing Efforts to Improve GPS Jamming Resilience
- Smart Bomb Designed to Resist Jamming
- Spoofing
- Detection of Spoofing
- Anti-Spoofing (A-S)
- Navigation Message Authentication (NMA)
- NMA on the Galileo System
- Authentication
- Asymmetric Encryption
- Certificates for Authentication
- Delayed Authentication with NMA
- Civilian Use of NMA
- Spread Spectrum Security Codes (SSSC or SC)
- Future of Anti-Spoofing: Example
- For Further Information
Chapter 10 - Class Project Using Raspberry Pi computer and GPS Hat
- Class Exercise, Day 1
- Components Used for Class Project
- Setting Up and Using the Pi with the GPS HAT
- Code Snippets used in Day 1 Exercise
- Logging in
- Linux Commands
- Looking around
- Look at some raw NMEA data
- What's in the data?
- Python interactive and Hello World
- Fun with pipes!
- Python script to separate the data fields
- Capture some raw data and use it
- indexing the data
- get the time
- get the latitude
- Class Exercise, Day 2 Outline
- Code Snippets used in Day 2 Exercise
- Linux Commands
- What's a daemon?
- Starting up a daemon
- Using gpsmon
- Using cgps
- Importing the library
- Blocking reads
- Data Attributes
- Waiting for a Fix—Looping
- Checking: Waiting for a satellite info
- Apply the time
- What time is it on the Pi?
- Set the time on the Pi using GPS time
- Shutdown
Chapter 11 - Tracking Systems Using GPS
- GPS Tracking Devices
- Tracking an Organization’s Assets
- Tracking System Features
- Some Tracking Applications
- Garmin Fleet Management
- Trimble TVG 300 In-Vehicle Hardware
- TVG 300 Technical Specifications
- GPS “Bullets” for Tracking
- Vehicle Tracking System for Missile Range Proving Grounds
- Projectile Tracking System Using GPS
- Important receiver design requirements
Chapter 12 - International GPS Systems
- International GPS in Space
- GLONASS GPS System
- GLONASS Constellation
- GLONASS Satellite Generations
- GLONASS Signals
- GLONASS Ground Segment
- Latest GLONASS Launch; Constellation Status, 2016
- Galileo—the European GPS System
- Galileo System Architecture
- Galileo Constellation
- Galileo Ground Segment
- Galileo Capabilities, Infrastructure
- The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)
- China GNSS System, Compass/Beidou
- Indian IRNSS Satellite System
- Japan QZSS Satellite System
Chapter 13 - Agricultural Applications of GPS
- Benefits from GPS Farming
- Examples of GPS Applications
- Tractor
- Crop Dusting
- Yield Monitoring
- Soil Sampling
- Irrigation Systems
- Livestock
- Predator Tracking
- Fishing
Appendix A - Abbreviations and Glossary
Appendix B - Calibration and Uncertainty of GPS Systems
Appendix C - Linearization Solution of Satellite-to-User Range Equations
Appendix D - Derivation of DOP Equations
Final Review
Award of Certificates
Click for a printable course outline (pdf).
Revised 180807
