Single-Frequency Refraction-Free Satellite Navigation.

Abstract

The Triad satellite was launched in September 1972 as an experimental member of the Navy Navigation Satellite System and contained several innovative experiments. PRN(pseudorandom noise) modulation was applied for the first time to the 150- and 400-MHz carriers transmitted by Triad. This modulation made possible a direct measurement of the instantaneous slant range between Triad and a modified SRN-9 integral doppler receiver located at APL. The receivers also made conventional integral doppler measurements over nominal 4.6-second intervals. Integral doppler measurements are proportional to changes in the satellite-to-receiver phase pathlenght, while PRN-ranging measurements are proportional to the length of the group path. The differences in length between the vacuum path and the phase and group paths are due primarily to the presence of the ionosphere. At frequencies of 400-MHz or above, the group path exceeds and the phase path falls short of the vacuum pathlength (true slant range) by nearly equal amounts.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1974
Accession Number
AD0922542

Entities

People

  • E. F. Prozeller
  • V. Schwab

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Frequency
  • Integrals
  • Intervals
  • Ionosphere
  • Measurement
  • Modulation
  • Navigation
  • Navigation Satellites
  • Refraction
  • Slant Range
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers