Harris supplies navigation payloads for GPS III

Harris Corporation delivered two advanced navigation payloads in 2017 to Lockheed Martin for use on GPS III satellites. The company is on track to deliver four more in 2018, and a total of ten units under its contract with Lockheed Martin.

Harris’ navigation payload consists of a Mission Data Unit (MDU), featuring a unique 70-percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened computers and powerful transmitters – enabling signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites. These payloads also boost satellite signal power, increase jamming resistance by eight times and help extend the satellite’s lifespan.

Harris said the first payload, which was delivered earlier this year, is now fully integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s first GPS III satellite, GPS III SV01, which was declared Available for Launch in September, with an expected launch in 2018.

In November, Harris announced that it had completed development of a fully digital MDU for Lockheed Martin’s GPS III satellites 11 and beyond. The new SV 11+ payload design will provide enhanced capabilities and increased performance for the Air Force.

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Final USAF GPS IIF Satellite Successfully Launched

United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched a Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-12 satellite for the U.S. Air Force aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

GPS IIF-12 is the final satellite in the IIF-block of satellites, which are the next-generation GPS satellites that incorporate numerous improvements to provide greater accuracy, increased signals and enhanced performance for users. This mission was ULA's 104th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

"Congratulations to the ULA, Boeing and Air Force teams on the successful launch of GPS IIF-12.  We began launching the IIF satellites in May 2010 and have appreciated the outstanding teamwork of everyone involved as we have worked together to deliver all 12 IIF satellites. This system provides incredible capabilities to our women and men in uniform while enabling so many technologies that impact all of our daily lives. We are proud to be GPS's ride to space," said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president, Custom Services.

http://www.ulalaunch.com/

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Broadcom Debuts GNSS Chip for IoT and Wearables

Broadcom introduced a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chip for Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable devices. The device handles thes bulk of the signal processing by calculating position, velocity and time (PVT) on-chip, delivering significant system power savings.

Key features:

• PVT computed on-chip
• Integrated GNSS receiver with concurrent support for GPS and GLONASS, combined with accelerometer inputs to produce stable, accurate and low power speed and distance
• Context engine and adaptive firmware to enable low power consumption for every activity and context without compromising accuracy
• Ability to produce GNSS fixes with only 5mA current consumption in certain scenarios
• MCU host interfaces include SPI, UART or I2C
• Sensor interfaces include I2C master, SPI master, I2S, ADC and GPIO
• Large on-chip memory for enhanced PVT accuracy and customer applications
• Embedded processor with self-boot capability
• Geofencing and lifelogging capabilities
• 70 ball WLBGA package with 0.4mm ball pitch

http://www.broadcom.com

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Raytheon Demos Advanced GPS OCX Capabilities

Raytheon demonstrated advanced capabilities of the Global Positioning System's Next Generation Operational Control System (GPS OCX)to key Defense Department and other stakeholders.

GPS OCX is the ground-based command and control system that will manage GPS satellites with significantly improved accuracy and precision, while providing higher levels of cyber protection.

"These successful demonstrations incorporating actual GPS OCX software reflect Raytheon's significant and continuing progress on this program and the growing maturity of this very complex system," said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services. "Once delivered, this pathfinding, cyber-hardened ground system will significantly enhance the capabilities GPS brings to military, civil and commercial users worldwide," said Wajsgras.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2015-06-12-Raytheon-Demonstrates-Advanced-GPS-OCX-Capabilities

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Sixth Next-Gen GPS Satellite Successfully Launched

The sixth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-6 satellite for the U.S. Air Force was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a Delta IV rocket from the United Launch Alliance.

GPS IIF-6 will join the next generation GPS timing and navigation system, which features24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface.

This marks ULA's fifth launch in 2014, and the 82nd successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

http://www.ulalaunch.com

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Successful Launch for 4th Next Gen GPS Satellite

The fourth Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF-4 satellite for the U.S. Air Force was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket.

GPS IIF-4 is the fourth in a series of next generation GPS satellites and will join a worldwide timing and navigation system utilizing 24 satellites in six different planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane positioned in orbit approximately 11,000 miles above the Earth's surface. The GPS IIF series provides improved accuracy and enhanced performance for GPS users.

http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/default.shtml

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