Report On Military Applications Of Gnss Information Technology Essay

Report On Military Applications Of Gnss Information Technology turn outRecent years have witnessed an increasingly usance of GNSS technologies in divers(a) argonas of human endeavours. G all overnments, organisations, individuals etc. argon beginning to rely upon GNSS technology in finding issues to problems in different fields of life (Spirent, 2002 17). One limpid bea where GNSS technology has been deployed success amply since the launching of satellite navigation is in host applications. Military applications of GNSS date back in 1978 when the first b solely-shaped pose remains was launched by US Department of Defence. Since consequently, many another(prenominal) GNSS and associated navigation systems be cosmos used in forces mission fields. This melodic theme examines past and present force applications of GNSS it also attempts to look into future of forces applications in the context of emerging trends and developments in GNSS world.1.2 Global seafaring sen d Systems (GNSS)Global Navigation satellite Systems (GNSS) is generic term encompassing all satellite navigation systems that al humbles users to determine their locations by observing radio signals transmissible by GNSS satellites. First among them is the US Navigation by Satellite Ranging and time (NAVSTAR) Global Positioning System (GPS). Russian Global Navigation Satellites System (GLONASS) is the second generation of GNSS, conceived also as a force system.. The next generation of GNSS is the European Unions Galileo which is pass judgment to be in teeming effect by early 2014. GNSS market is poised for revolution with the full deployment of Galileo constellation of satellites. Other regional GNSS let in Beidou operated by China, although through its Compass, China has intend to launch satellite navigation system with global coverage. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is a nonher GNSS in the development. Uncertainty palliate trail IRNSS acoustic proj ection since India entered into partnership with Russian GLONASS. QZSS is another regional navigation system operated by Japan. It is actual to supplement GPS signals in Japan and neighbouring beas. a resembling these, there are other regional GNSS space-based augmentation systems aim to snitch better the transaction of GPS/GLONASS. The major regional augmentation systems are WAAS, EGNOS (European Geostationary National Overlay serve), MTSAT-Based Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) in Japan and Indian GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)GPS and GLONASS stand out among the list when it comes to legions applications. GPS and GLONASS have been used in many soldiery trading operations.1.3 Global Positioning Systems (GPS)US Global Positioning System (GPS) was designed as a dual-use technology ( polishedian and soldiers use). The billet service available to accomplished users is called Standard Positioning Service, while that of the armed services is called Precise Po sitioning Service. GPSs Precise Positioning Service (PPS) is used for nigh forces applications. Precise Positioning Service is restricted to only US forces, NATO forces, and other users licensed by US Government. The encrypted precise cypher signals P(Y) and M- order are used for military applications. M- Code is a stark naked signal being to realise the fundamental aim of achieving precise and accurate navigation operate for military applications. These signals are broadcasted in link 1 (L1) and link 2 (L2) bands. L1C-d and L1C-p signals allow for be added to the PPS users under the GPS phased modernisation programme (Groves, 2008 12). In time of navigation data messages, MNAV message broadcasts are broadcast on M-code signals. GPS is instanter undergoing phased restructuring and modernisation and it is expected that new programme result ensure that brisk users are genic P(Y) code while the new users are transmitted new M code (Kaplan and Hegarty (2006 654).1.4. GLONA SSLike GPS, GLONASS was conceived as a military system but designed to offer both military and elegant shoesing service (Groves 2008 17). GLONASS P code signals are used for military applications and transmitted in both bands LI and L2 with frequencies 1592.95MHz 1613.86MHz and 1237.83 MHz 1256MHz respectively (Groves, 2008 19). GLONASS K, fully modernised satellites are set to broadcast new signals that pass on improve the truth of military operations.2.0 GNSS Positioning RequirementsThe positioning principles are basically the same(p) for GNSS systems. Generally, a GNSS receiver records three or to a greater extent satellites signals to determine a 2 dimensional coordinates, while four or more(prenominal) signals are needed for 3 dimensional coordinates. The true statement of GNSS position firmness depends on the type of GNSS cunning used and application under consideration. accuracyAccuracy is a critical factor in military applications. GPS was launched because of th e military requirements for luxuriously accurate global navigation (Len, 2007185). In case of timing service, military operations require precise time transfer for synchronization of equipment and confused operations (Len 2007 184). The GPS PPS offers horizontal accuracy of 1.2m and vertical accuracy of 1.9m based on 24 satellite constellations (Groves, 2008). With its modernisation program, GLONASS is set to compete with GPS as it plotted to achieve the same positioning accuracy with GPS. The Galileo Public-Regulated Service (PRS) has a put down accuracy when compared to that of GPS PPS it has horizontal accuracy of 3m and vertical accuracy of 6m, much more lower to its Open Service (Groves, 2008 20)AvailabilityAvailability is also of the primary(prenominal) characteristics of GNSS performance. Availability of navigation system is defined by US national Radionavigation Plan (FRP) as the percentage of time that the services of the system are within the required performance lim its (Wang et al 2006 1). Global availability of GNSS for military applications is expected to increase with the ongoing modernisation of GLONASS. GLONASS K satellites when fully launched will improve the accuracy of P code for military applications. India has partnered with Russia in the GLONASS project, and it is expected that India and other countries will have access GLONASS military signals for their mission operations and equipment testing. Aside from GPS military signals, more countries are today using civil signals in many military missions and equipment testing.IntegrityGPS will have full integrity monitoring and alert system as the fourth atom when the modernisation programme is completed. GLONASS K satellites will broadcast integrity breeding and differential corrections in L3 band. Similarly, Galileo will broadcast integrity alerts and both(prenominal) differential corrections.2.1 GNSS MarketsGNSS technology is naturally divided into two broad markets/applications c ivil / commercial markets and military markets. The user equipment used in military applications dirty dog be classified into two types(i) GNSS receivers operated by human beings such as handheld type, human operated receivers on ships, dispersecrafts and vehicles (Len, 2007 184 -185)(ii) Autonomous receivers these are not hooked of any human operation and normally integrated with inertial sensors. They are used in guided missile programs and newer military applications.Comparison betwixt Military and Civil ReceiversMilitaryCivilFrequenciesL1, L2L1 and /or L1, L2 (L5 on 11F satellitesCodesP(Y), M, C/A, CC/A and C (on modernised satellitesSize/ saddle/powerCard, handheld, receiver unitChips, handheld, receiver unitNavigation accuracy1m to 5m5m to 10mAnti interferenceGreater than 54 dBUsually not more than 24 dBIntegrationA/J antennas, communications, inertial sensorsSpeed/heading sensors, communications, GIS, inertial sensorsAdapted from (Len 2007 183)3.0 Military Applications of GNSSOf all GNSS, GPS has been safe widely used in military applications. Essentially, GPS was developed to satisfy military requirements for a global positioning, navigation and timing service. (Kaplan, and Hegarty, 2006 654). Military application of GPS started in late 1970s when GPS was used for weapon testing in the then US Navy Submarine Launched Ballistic Program (SLBM). GPS was used to insure the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles from a ship as the missile traveled down the Atlantic (Len, 2007 174). The GPS military equipment used for the missile testing then made use of translator. Subsequently, other weapon testing was conducted in the give vent and ground vehicles (Len, 2007 177). Today, GPS can be deployed to variety of military applications. Some of these embroil target acquisition missile charge, search and rescue coordinate goard precision survey, instrument approach antisubmarine warfare range instrumentation remotely piloted vehicle operations barebase operations close air assume en route navigation command and control field gas and shore bombardment rendezvous, sensor emplacement etc. (Len, 2007 177 -178). Other military applications of GNSS include mine location, enemy radar location, Special Forces intelligence conclave etc (Dye and Baylin, 1997 82).3.1 GNSS/ Inertial Integration SystemsGNSS such as GPS has been proved to be languid in term of providing highschool quality and reliable position solution (Spirent, 2010). Thus inertial sensors are being used in many applications to complement GNSS. Inertial navigation system is a small, self contained device that uses inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) to calculate position and velocity solution of a despicable object (Logsdon, 1995 39). It makes use of dead reckoning navigation system (Groves 2008 7). use GPS measurements, INS navigation solution is calibrated and corrected via desegregation algorithm (Groves and Long, 2005 2). GPS/INS integration is popu lar in the guided weapons and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) where low price sensors are used (Groves and Long, 2005 2). INS function independently of GNSS signals susceptible to jamming, interference, enemy treatment and other distortions and are therefore used in many military applications (Dye and Baylin, 1997 13). Examples of practical applications of GNSS/INS based solutions are given in the report.Advantages of GNSS/INS based solutionINS offers continuous navigation operations it provides high-bandwidth output (50 Hz) and low short-term echo it also provides attitude, angular rate, and acceleration measurements as well as position and velocity (Groves and Long 2005 419) (Groves 2008 8). GPS provides a high accuracy which does not contrive with time(Groves and Long, 2005 419)Disadvantages of GNSS/INS based solution The accuracy of INS output is degraded with time olibanum necessitating the need to calibrate the errors (Groves 2008 8). Unlike INS, GNSS has lower bandwidth (1H z), more noisier than that INS and does not usually include altitude (Groves and Long 2005 419, 420)One obvious challenge in the military use of GNSS is issue of deliberate jamming and interference by the enemies. GPS receivers have been found to be susceptible to jamming due to low signal power of GPS signal. This trend has raised a concern to US Department of Defence in the recent years thus signalling the programme of developing various anti-jamming techniques to mitigate these effects. Recent anti jamming technologies include nulling of antennas and ultra tight coupling of the GPS and the inertial sensors (Kaplan, and Hegarty (2006 656).3.2 Practical Applications of GPS in clearcutness GuidanceIn 1991, US army and its allies successfully deployed GPS in the attack to rescue oil rich Kuwait after its onset by Iraq in an operation tagged Operation Desert Storm. GPS receivers were fitted in the military aircrafts and helicopters, bombs were dropped from these aircrafts as target ed thus eliminating unwanted casualties. GPS receivers were used to know the coordinates of the targets so that the weapons can be delivered accurately.In 1995, GPS was also deployed during the Bosnia war by the unite US and NATO forces in a campaign tagged Operation deal Force. Military aircrafts operating from their base in Italy were fully equipped with GPS equipment in the strike against the Bosnia Serb forces.Perhaps, the Joint Direct Attack munition (JDAM) is the most fulgurous breakthrough GPS has achieved in area of precision guidance. JDAM is an independent, tail kit with staidness bomb it is usually mounted on the military fighter jets and uses GPS/INS guidance to deliver the target (Cozzens, 2006). JDAM has the cogency of working in all conditions conditions and its accuracy is not dependent on the altitude (Cozzens, 2006). JDAM recorded 9.6m accuracy during their testing. JDAM have been successfully deployed in many operations. For example, in June 2006, US demarca tion Force successfully used GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition equipped with GPS precision guidance to kill former Iraq terrorist leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi in his house (Cozzens, 2006). Once on the air, GPS/INS guidance enables the gravity bomb to be delivered accurately at the targets (Cozzens, 2006).In case of GLONASS, Russian military has deployed GLONASS military signals in many missions (Len, 2007 189). Russian Federation Airforce deep developed latest KAB family of weapons called KAB 500S. KAB 500S is a guided bomb similar to that of US JDAM. KAB 500S can be dropped from aircraft at altitudes of 500 to 10,000 metres and airspeeds of 550 to 1,100 kilometres per hour (Deagel, 2007). It uses GLONASS Military code and INS to strike the targets (Len, 2007 189). The third generation GNSS, Galileo has encrypted signal Public Regulated Service that may be used for military applications in the near future.4.0 GNSS incoming and Military ApplicationsThe GNSS have made giant s trides in military applications curiously in area of guided weaponry and keen bombs. GPS-aided munitions, ranging from artillery shells to smart shells have proved to be a reliable technology in recent time in times of accuracy (Lucio, (2002), (Wells, (2001). Countries all over the world will continue to embrace these technologies as cheaper GPS/INS coupled munitions are being produced to meet the requirements for accurate, precise timing and navigation solutions in the land, air and sea in near future.Current developments in GNSS industry like new signals and constellations acquisition will usher new era of high accurate military based satellite navigation. The separation of GPS signals for military and civilian use will lessen the effects of jamming and interference in military operations coupled with high signal power of new M code. GPS new military code will improve the anti-jamming capability of the system as current modernisation programme will make it autonomous. Non coher ence integration of the acquisition circuit of the new military code will enhance the performance of the system in the presence of echo and jamming (Betz et al, 2005 45, 46). In the area of system integrity, modernization programme of GPS and GLONASS will offer users more reliable measurements as they will have options to confirm GNSS measurements.Presently, only GPS and GLONASS are used for military applications. I look at future where GNSS will be more available for military applications. to a greater extent countries will be authorised to have access to GPS P(Y) code in near future and others will want develop their own SBASs. For example, Nigeria has developed its own SBAS called NIGCOMSAT with coverage only in Nigeria for now. Modernised GPS civil signals will continue to be used by countries not authorised to use P(Y) code. Only, recently, Russian Government announced that GLONASS military signals will be freely made available to any country that want to use them. Already, I ndia and Russian have agreed to collaborate on GLONASS project (Len, 2007 190). It is expected that more Countries will enter into agreements with Russian when GLONASS constellation of satellites are fully deployed in the orbit. China is making steady progress on its Compass project and is poised to use the system to strengthen its national security.Finally, GNSS industry is pitch for revolution when Galileo is fully operationalised in next few years. Galileo has an encrypted signal PRS which has potentials for military applications. It is already been speculated that this may be used for military applications in the near future, although Galileo is purely conceived as a civilian system.