Emerging satellite navigation systems

The future for satellite navigation is very exciting over the next ten years, a period where we could see 70+ positioning satellites available to be used. GPS is being modernized over the years until around 2015. This will mean that GPS derived raw positions will become increasingly more accurate and quicker to determine. The European satellite navigation system Galileo will consist of 30 satellites and will provide a range of free and subscription services. Galileo satellites are due to be launched from 2008 with full constellation in 2010. The Russian GLONASS navigation system has been underfunded for many years but now looks to be becoming stronger in the coming years.

There are techniques available currently which will develop in the future that enable very fast acquisition (sub-second) of the GPS satellites after first power on through sending the receiver information about where to look for the satellites via a mobile phone (Assisted GPS or AGPS). It is also possible to obtain a position, quite inaccurate currently, indoors. High Sensitivity GPS works by detecting the very low strength GPS signals that permeate indoors – typically 20dB and 30dB lower. If an inertial system is coupled with the GPS receiver, positioning is possible in places where the receiver cannot see the four satellites it needs (in tunnels for example). Map matching techniques can be used which use the intelligence within digital mapping to force a users track onto the right road – useful in vehicle tracking applications.