GPS for India Tested

Raytheon has successfully completed the final system acceptance test to augment standard Global Positioning System signals over India. The latest test of the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation-Technology Demonstration System (GAGAN-TDS) is a milestone in the worldwide transition to satellite-based navigation for civil aviation. When completed, GAGAN will join other space-based augmentation systems in providing worldwide, precise navigation, substantially boosting safety, efficiency, and capacity across India and the surrounding region. The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is operational in North America, and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau recently commissioned the MTSAT Satellite-based Augmentation System. GAGAN monitors GPS satellite signals for errors and then generates correction messages to improve positioning accuracy for users. The system also augments standard GPS signals to support international and domestic flights during approach, at the terminal and on the ground. The process enhances the accuracy and integrity of flight navigation aids. In the latest test, the Raytheon system demonstrated that ground elements could successfully integrate with a geosynchronous satellite over India and generate a test signal that conformed to international requirements for the Indian flight information region. Raytheon also demonstrated that the time from signal generation to transmission to the satellite and reception back on the ground was less than the 6.2-second requirement. With completion of the final system acceptance test, the stage is set for the Indian Space Research Organisation and Airports Authority of India to embark on the next phase of the program, which will expand the existing ground network, add redundancy, and produce the certification analysis and documentation for safety-of-flight commissioning.