GPS Aided Geo Augmentation Navigation (GAGAN)

<–2/”>a >It is a planned implementation of Satellite Based Navigation System (SBNS) developed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. GAGAN is expected to provide a civil aeronautical navigation signal consistent with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices as established by the Global Navigation Satellite System Panel. GAGAN was launched in August 2010. With this India has become the 4th Country in the World to have satellite based navigation system. It is a system to improve the accuracy of a GNSS receiver by providing reference signals.,

GAGAN Architecture

GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) is an Indian regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that provides improved accuracy, Integrity, and continuity of position, navigation, and timing (PNT) Services to users on the Indian subcontinent and the Indian Ocean region.

GAGAN is a joint project of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It was conceived in the early 1990s to meet the growing demand for accurate and reliable PNT services in India.

GAGAN consists of a constellation of geostationary satellites, a ground-based augmentation system (GBAS), and a Network of reference stations. The satellites broadcast a signal that is augmented by the GBAS to provide improved accuracy, integrity, and continuity of PNT services.

The GAGAN constellation consists of four satellites, which are located in geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. The satellites are named GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-15, and GSAT-18.

The GBAS consists of a network of ground stations that monitor the GPS signals and broadcast corrections to the satellites. The GBAS stations are located at strategic locations across India and the Indian Ocean region.

The network of reference stations consists of a network of ground stations that monitor the GPS signals and provide data to the GBAS. The reference stations are located at strategic locations across India.

GAGAN Signals

GAGAN uses the L1 and L5 frequencies of the GPS signal. The L1 frequency is a C/A code signal that is broadcast by all GPS satellites. The L5 frequency is a precision code signal that is broadcast by some GPS satellites.

The GAGAN signal is a combination of the GPS signal and the GBAS signal. The GBAS signal is broadcast by the ground stations and is used to augment the GPS signal.

The GAGAN signal is received by GPS receivers that are equipped with GAGAN capability. The GAGAN receiver uses the GAGAN signal to improve the accuracy, integrity, and continuity of PNT services.

GAGAN Performance

GAGAN provides a horizontal accuracy of 2 meters, a vertical accuracy of 4 meters, and a time accuracy of 1 microsecond. GAGAN also provides integrity and continuity of PNT services.

GAGAN is a regional SBAS, which means that it provides PNT services to a limited area. The coverage area of GAGAN is the Indian subcontinent and the Indian Ocean region.

GAGAN is a space-based system, which means that it is not affected by weather conditions. GAGAN is also a continuous system, which means that it provides PNT services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GAGAN Benefits

GAGAN provides a number of benefits to users, including:

Improved accuracy: GAGAN provides a horizontal accuracy of 2 meters, a vertical accuracy of 4 meters, and a time accuracy of 1 microsecond. This is significantly more accurate than the accuracy of GPS alone.
Improved integrity: GAGAN provides integrity monitoring and alerting to ensure that the PNT services are reliable.
Improved continuity: GAGAN provides continuous PNT services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is important for applications such as air traffic control and maritime navigation.
Reduced costs: GAGAN can reduce the costs of PNT services by providing a more accurate and reliable alternative to GPS.

GAGAN Applications

GAGAN can be used for a variety of applications, including:

Air traffic control: GAGAN can be used to provide accurate and reliable PNT services to aircraft. This is important for safety and efficiency in air traffic control.
Maritime navigation: GAGAN can be used to provide accurate and reliable PNT services to ships. This is important for safety and efficiency in maritime navigation.
Land transportation: GAGAN can be used to provide accurate and reliable PNT services to vehicles. This is important for safety and efficiency in land transportation.
Surveying: GAGAN can be used to provide accurate and reliable PNT services for surveying applications. This is important for construction, mining, and other applications that require accurate surveying.
agriculture: GAGAN can be used to provide accurate and reliable PNT services for agriculture applications. This is important for Irrigation, crop monitoring, and other applications that require accurate positioning.

GAGAN Future

GAGAN is a developing system, and there are plans to expand its coverage area and improve its performance. The future of GAGAN is bright, and it is expected to play an important role in providing PNT services to users in India and the Indian Ocean region.

What is GPS?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth.

How does GPS work?

GPS works by using a network of satellites that orbit the Earth. These satellites transmit signals to receivers on the ground. The receivers use these signals to calculate their position, speed, and time.

What are the benefits of using GPS?

GPS has many benefits, including:

It can be used for navigation, both for personal and commercial purposes.
It can be used to track the movement of people and objects.
It can be used to monitor weather conditions.
It can be used to provide emergency services with accurate location information.

What are the limitations of using GPS?

GPS has some limitations, including:

It can be affected by interference from buildings, trees, and other objects.
It can be affected by atmospheric conditions, such as heavy rain or snow.
It can be affected by jamming, which is a deliberate attempt to interfere with GPS signals.

What are some of the most common uses for GPS?

Some of the most common uses for GPS include:

Navigation: GPS can be used to navigate to a destination, either by car, foot, or bicycle.
Tracking: GPS can be used to track the movement of people or objects, such as children, pets, or vehicles.
Monitoring: GPS can be used to monitor weather conditions, such as rainfall or temperature.
Emergency services: GPS can be used by emergency services to provide accurate location information to first responders.

What are some of the most common safety concerns about using GPS?

Some of the most common safety concerns about using GPS include:

Distracted driving: When drivers are using GPS, they may be less attentive to the road, which can lead to accidents.
Privacy concerns: GPS can be used to track people’s movements, which raises privacy concerns.
Jamming: GPS signals can be jammed, which can prevent people from using GPS for navigation or tracking.

What are some of the most common myths about GPS?

Some of the most common myths about GPS include:

GPS is always accurate: GPS is not always accurate, especially in areas with poor reception.
GPS is not vulnerable to hacking: GPS is vulnerable to hacking, which can allow criminals to track people’s movements or interfere with navigation.
GPS is a government surveillance tool: GPS is not a government surveillance tool. The government does not track people’s movements using GPS.

What is the future of GPS?

The future of GPS is bright. GPS is constantly being improved, and new applications are being developed all the time. GPS is likely to become even more important in the future, as it is used for a wider range of applications.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a type of navigation system?

(A) GPS
(B) Galileo
(C) GLONASS
(D) GAGAN

Answer
(D) GAGAN is a regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that provides improved accuracy, integrity, and availability of GPS signals in the Indian region. It is not a type of navigation system.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most accurate navigation system?