PNT Advisory Board Panel 2: Strategic Engagement and

Communication

October 4, 2007

Washington D.C

Panel Members:Gerhard Beutler, Chet Huber, Dave Logsdon (Co-Chair Panel 2), Terry McGurn, 

Ruth Neilan (Chair Panel 2), Richard Smith, Barbara Adde (Panel Support)

Panel Members Unable to attend: Phil Boyer, Suresh Kibe

Other Invited Panel Support: Cahminda Basnayake (GM), Ron Beard (NRL),

Sethu Madhavan (OnStar), Ken Senior (NRL), Jim Slater (NGA),

PNT Advisory Board Panel 2 Strategic Engagement and Communication

Strategic Engagement and CommunicationTasking

• Recommend ways to promote and demonstrate current and future capabilities of GPS and its augmentations to the US and international communities.– Near Term: Develop options for promoting GNSS

capabilities for domestic and foreign audiences.– Mid Term: Identify actions the USG could take in

international organizations, standards setting bodies, and/or foreign capitals to prevent attempts to mandate the exclusive use of any one GNSS system in specific geographic areas.

– c) Long Term: Propose approaches for maintenance and improvement of GPS's leadership and acceptance around the world.

PNT Advisory Board Panel 2 Strategic Engagement and Communication

Panel Progress

• Discussions with members since March meeting• Teleconference to plan and prepare for this

meeting results in:– Three topics for fact finding briefings near-term

• Reference Frame• Timing• Promotion Options

• Preparatory meeting Oct 3• Mid-term and long-term discussions • Note activities of the International Committee on

GNSS (ICG), recent meeting in Bangalore

Underscore importance of GNSS Interoperability; strategies for common standards

PNT Advisory Board Panel 2 Strategic Engagement and Communication

US Involvement in Global Geodetic & Geophysical Sciences, Research and Applications

US Agency/Organization GPS & Time SLR VLBI Gravity National Aeronautics and Space Administration

X X X X X

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / National Geodetic Survey

X X X

Naval Research Laboratory X X X National Science Foundation X X National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

X X X

US Naval Observatory X X US Geological Survey X X Numerous Universities & Research Organizations

X X X X

Most contribute to International GNSS Service (IGS)*, since early 1990’s 15 years, significant history of successful strategic engagement.* until 2005 International GPS Service

International GNSS ServiceFormerly the International GPS Service

US agencies that contribute to the IGS include: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Geodetic Survey (NGS), Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), National Science Foundation (NSF), US Naval Observatory (USNO), and US Geological Survey(USGS), and numerous universities & research organizations.

Graph courtesy Analysis Coordinator

G. Gendt, GFZ Potsdam

GPS Applications in IGS Projects & Working GroupsIGS Reference Frame

Precise Time & Frequency TransferGLONASS Service, now routine within IGS processes

Low Earth Orbiters ProjectIonosphere WGAtmosphere WG

Sea Level - TIGA ProjectReal-Time ProjectData Center WG

GNSS WG

GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System

The IGS is a voluntary federation of more than 200 worldwide agencies in more than 80 countries that pool resources and permanent GPS station data to generate precise GPS products.

Over 350 permanent tracking stations operated by more than 100 worldwide agencies comprise the IGS network. Currently the IGS supports two GNSS: GPS

and the Russian GLONASS.

IGS products are formed by combining independent results from each of several Analysis Centers. Improvements in signals and computations have brought the centers’ consistency in the Final GPS satellite orbit calculation to ~ 2cm

http://igscb.jpl.nasa.govNASA funds the IGS coordinating center: IGS Central Bureau

PNT Advisory Board Panel 2 Strategic Engagement and Communication

Panel Plans• Review matrix assignment topics and discuss approach for

mid-term, long-term tasks – 2 - System performance and delivery of services bring

requirements in line– 2.1 & 2.2 - Commit to 30 satellites!

• (Both loss of leadership if US steps back)

– 2.4 - Support laser reflectors in GPS satellites– 4 - DO NOT CONSIDER USER FEES!– 5.2 - No mandated use of a specific GNSS– 6.2 - Spectrum protection, complex, support Panel 3

• Note that a more proactive, coordinated effort should be pursued• 6.3 Interference Detection - Review San Diego event, other

efforts, Ward article, ICG work plan, …

PNT Advisory Board Panel 2 Strategic Engagement and Communication

Panel Plans (2)

• Task matrix continued:– 7.1 - Plan for ‘education and awareness’ within US

• Policy, Senior Military, Congress, and new users• Strategic engagement with US Military• Promotion options aka marketing

– 7.2 - ITAR (?) Current US implementation of ITAR regulations overburdens and stifles innovation

• 7.3 - Support need for improved ‘system of systems’

– Engagement with international organizations and standards bodies - e.g., ICG, RTCA/RTCM, IHO, IOC,GEO,…