USCG/MARAD Static Tests of the GPS Navigation Set-Z (Low Cost).
Abstract
One of six Type Z Navigation sets, which use the C/A code signal that will be available to civil users, was provided the U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration for a joint test and evaluation program. The goal of these tests is to determine the suitability of this form of GPS for civil marine use. The first static tests were conducted in May-September 1979 in Long Beach, California. Following a tutorial summary of the Z-set operating principles, results from these tests are presented. When signal conditions are optimum, they reveal a four-satellite fix accuracy and variability which was considerably better than the set's readout precision of 1.0 arc-second. Underlying effective ranging errors were estimated to fall in the 5-10 meter, rms, range. Fix errors increased by a factor of five when 24-hour old orbit and clock parameters were used, and they increased the same amount when only three satellites were available with poor GDOP. The set exhibited no failures during the tests, and satisfactory operator I/O. Fixes obtained in a vehicle agreed with topographic map location at 14 of 15 sites around Los Angeles, with the one fix failure ascribed to building shadow. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA082717
Entities
People
- Donald A. Feldman
- Walter N. Dean