GNSS The System: New Math for GPS Published February 1, 2010 By Alan Cameron Join the Discussion The U.S. Air Force GPS Wing and 50th Space Wing have begun repositioning GPS satellites in space to fly what they call the 24+3 or Expandable 24 constellation plan. The initiative will take up to 24 months to fully implement. Benefits to users will be slowly realized during that time, as the number of GPS satellites in view will increase, potentially increasing GPS receiver accuracy. Plus: Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish U.S. Coast Guard to Pull Loran Plug; Galileo Satellites Awarded to OHB; Compass at Three Read more » GPS constellation GPS satellites The System
Opinions SBAS Expert Advice: Integrity: Lessons from the 2008 Financial Collapse Published February 1, 2010 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion Deterministic risk modeling, the basis of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) at the core of modern quantitative finance, is known to be fundamentally flawed, but its elegance and convenience has blinded researchers to growing evidence of its weaknesses. The near-complete acceptance of the EMH led to models that dramatically accentuate its flaws, which in turn led to absurd but eagerly accepted conclusions for loan-default risk. These models proved dramatically vulnerable to changes in the housing market in 2007–2008 and led directly to the ensuing crash. Read more » Expert Advice risk assessment
Opinions Out in Front: Rocky Road to Robustness Published February 1, 2010 By Alan Cameron Join the Discussion The system’s command and control operational software update uploaded in late 2009 (see page 10) has started wreaking some havoc with installed military receivers across many fielded platforms, as well as with some civil receivers. Whether major or minor havoc, I don’t pretend to know yet. The concept of selective availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) figures in it, though now I’m toeing classified turf. Read more » editorial From the Editor
Survey Leica Builder Series Designed for Varying Jobsite Needs Published January 19, 2010 By GPS World Staff Join the Discussion The Leica Builder Series Total Stations, just introduced by Leica Geosystems, is designed for construction contractors or anyone on a construction site requiring an easy-to-operate, full-feature measuring tool. From simple tasks to professional all-day use, the Leica Builder offers a scaled product family of five different models to meet the varying needs of most construction jobs, Leica said. Contractors can choose from the 100-, 200-, 300-, 400-, or 500-series models. Read more »
Opinions Survey The New GPS 24+3 Constellation: What Does it Mean to the Surveying and GIS User? Published January 19, 2010 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion Last week, the U.S. Air Force announced it is reconfiguring the GPS constellation. The Air Force is changing the constellation from a 21+3 configuration to a 24+3 configuration. The result will be more satellites in view, on average. This is great news for the GPS surveying and GIS mapping user. In my opinion, it was the only achievable short/medium-term solution to the GPS "brownout" problem that has plagued GPS surveying and mapping users for years, and has worsened in recent months. Read more » GPS constellation Survey Scene
Last Week’s Column and a New GPS Constellation Published January 13, 2010 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion First off, let me offer my prayers for those who were affected by the powerful earthquake that occurred in Haiti yesterday (Tuesday). You can view USGS maps of the area here. ESRI is offering Disaster Response and Assistance. God Speed. I received some feedback from last week’s column “PDA vs. Tablet: Is the War Over or Just […] Read more » GSS GSS Monthly
The GIS Glass is Half Full Published January 9, 2010 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion Not much happened over the Christmas holidays in GIS but this holiday season many of you are experiencing some impact from the down economy or at least know some one who is. Add health care reform, cap and trade, the war, the growing deficit, and climate change, and things look pretty grim. Well, cheer up […] Read more » GSS GSS Monthly
PDA vs Tablet: Is the War Over or Just Starting? Published January 8, 2010 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion 2010 will be a decisive year for the tablet computer. Let’s face it, tablet computers have had a tough time gaining traction in past years. For manufacturer’s, it’s been a relatively small niche business. I recall back in the late 90’s I was looking at what was available and there wasn’t much. There were a […] Read more » GSS GSS Monthly
Opinions Survey The Federal Radionavigation Plan Published January 5, 2010 By Eric Gakstatter Join the Discussion I’ve intended to write about the 2008 Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) for quite some time. It is an important document because it is the official policy document that drives the United States’ radio navigation (including GPS) program planning. According to the FRP, it includes the introductions, policies, radionavigation system user requirements, system descriptions, and operating plans of various radionavigation systems. Read more » radionavigation plan Survey Scene
Galileo GLONASS GNSS The System: GLONASS Heaves Three Aloft Published January 1, 2010 By GPS World Staff The Russian space agency Roscosmos launched a venerable Proton rocket carrying three GLONASS-M satellites into orbit on December 14. Each 3,000-pound satellite is designed to last seven years. They join a constellation numbering 19 satellites, although only 16 are healthy. Russian politicians and satnav system managers had hoped to launch six satellites between September and December, […] Read more » GLONASS-M GPS constellation Roscosmos The System