A DESCRIPTION OF THE DOPPLER TRACKING SYSTEM TRANET,
Abstract
The Doppler tracking system Tranet has the capability of worldwide dissemination of a standard frequency, with proper assistance from a satellite, with an accuracy that exceeds 2 parts in 10 to the 10th power with present equipment. It can also disseminate standard time signals with a resolution of at least 50 micro sec. for a single pass. The system is also capable of measuring the Doppler frequency received from a satellite with an accuracy of 2 parts in 10 to the 10th power. This accuracy allows a resolution in satellite position of 30 meters at the center time of a pass. It is technically feasible to increase the frequency accuracy to a level approaching or exceeding 1 part in 10 to the 11th power, with a corresponding position resolution approaching 1 meter. Dissemination of standard frequency can also be made to approach 1 part in 10 to the 11th power. The accuracy of orbit determination is not currently limited by measurement accuracy, but by the accuracy of gravity and geodesy. At present, the RMS orbital accuracy is estimated at 300 meters world-wide, and 200 meters over North America. Ten satellites looks like a reasonable estimate of the number that can be handled reliably, in full time operations at maximum accuracy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0631802
Entities
People
- R. R. Newton
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory