From stars to terrestrial networks and satellites

From outdoors to indoors

From ancient to future applications

From techniques to technologies . . .

The field of radionavigation signals and systems has seen significant growth in recent years. Satellite systems are very efficient, but owing to their limited exposure and/or availability in some environments, they do not cover the whole spectrum of applications. Thus, many other positioning techniques are being developed.

Now, Global Positioning presents an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of various systems with a specific emphasis on those that are satellite-based. Beginning with a description of the evolution of positioning systems, the book provides detailed coverage of the three main Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations, discusses how to cope with indoor positioning, defines development activities and commercial positioning, and proposes a vision for the future of the field.

Special features of the book include:

• Exercises to test and challenge the reader's understanding

• Direct comparison between constellations and other positioning systems

• Mathematical content kept to a minimum in order to maximize accessibility and readability

• Descriptions of European and U.S. discussions for Galileo

• Historical aspects and links between the distant past and current systems

• Footnotes that provide hints and comments to the reader

At a time when the positioning domain is experiencing such immense transformation, it is vital to have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles, current tech-nologies, and future improvements that will help estimate the performance and limita-tions of existing systems. Global Positioning fills an important need for professionals and students in a variety of fields who want a complete and authoritative overview of global positioning techniques.

Foreword.

Acknowledgements.

Preface.

Chapter 1. A brief history of navigation and positioning.

1.1 The first age of navigation.

1.2 The age of the great navigators.

1.3 Cartography, lighthouses and astronomical positioning.

1.4 The radio age.

1.5 The first terrestrial positioning systems.

1.6 The era of artificial satellites.

1.7 Real-time satellite navigation constellations today.

1.8 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 2. A brief explanation of the early techniques of positioning.

2.1 Discovering the world.

2.2 The first age of navigation and the longitude problem.

2.3 The first optical based calculation techniques.

2.4 The first terrestrial radio based systems.

2.5 The first navigation satellite systems: TRANSIT and PARUS/TSIKADA.

2.6 The second generation of navigation satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

2.7 The forthcoming third generation of navigation satellite systems: QZSS and COMPASS.

2.8 Representing the world.

2.9 Exercises.

Bibliography

Chapter 3. Development, deployment and current status of satellite based navigation systems.

3.1 Strategic, economical and political aspects.

3.2 The global positioning satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo..

3.2.1 The Global Positioning System : GPS.

3.2.2 The GLONASS.

3.2.3 Galileo.

3.3 The GNSS1: EGNOS, WAAS and MSAS.

3.4 The other satellite based systems.

3.5 Differential satellite based commercial services.

3.6 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 4. Non-GNSS positioning systems and techniques for outdoors.

4.1 Introduction (large area without contact or wireless systems).

4.2 The optical systems.

4.3 The terrestrial radio systems.

4.4 The satellite radio systems.

4.5 Non-radio based systems.

4.6 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 5. GNSS system descriptions.

5.1 System description.

5.2 Summary and comparison of the three systems.

5.3 Basics of GNSS positioning parameters.

5.4 Introduction to error sources.

5.5 Concepts of differential approaches.

5.6 SBAS system description (WAAS and EGNOS).

5.7 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 6. GNSS navigation signals: description and details.

6.1 Navigation signal structures and modulations for GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

6.2 Some explanations of the concepts and details of the codes.

6.3 Mathematical formulation of the signals.

6.4 Summary and comparison of the 3 systems.

6.5 Developments.

6.6 Error sources.

6.7 Time reference systems.

6.8 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 7. Acquisition and tracking of GNSS signals.

7.1 Transmission part.

7.2 Receiver architectures.

7.3 Measurement techniques.

7.4 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 8. Techniques for calculating positions.

8.1 Calculating the PVT solution.

8.2 Satellite’s position computations.

8.3 Quantified estimation of errors.

8.4 Impact of pseudo range errors on the computed positioning.

8.5 Impact of geometrical distribution of satellites and receiver (notion of DOP).

8.6 Benefits of augmentation systems.

8.7 Discussion on interoperability and integrity.

8.8 Effect of multipath on the navigation solution.

8.9 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 9. Indoor positioning problem and main techniques (Non-GNSS).

9.1 General introduction to indoor positioning.

9.2 A brief review of possible techniques.

9.3 Network of sensors.

9.4 Local area telecommunication systems.

9.5 Wide-area telecommunication systems.

9.6 Inertial systems.

9.7 Recap tables and global comparisons.

9.8 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 10. GNSS-based indoor positioning and a summary of indoor techniques.

10.1 HS-GNSS.

10.2 A-GNSS.

10.3 Hybridization.

10.4 Pseudolites.

10.5 Repeaters.

10.6 Recap tables and comparisons.

10.7 Possible evolutions with availability of the future signals.

10.8 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 11. Applications of modern geographical positioning systems.

11.1 Introduction.

11.2 A chronological review of the past evolution of applications.

11.3 Individual applications.

11.4 Scientific applications.

11.5 Applications for public regulatory forces.

11.6 Systems under development.

11.7 Classifications of applications.

11.8 Privacy issues.

11.9 Current receivers and systems.

11.10 Conclusion and discussion.

11.11 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Chapter 12. The forthcoming revolution.

12.1 Time and space.

12.2 Development of current applications.

12.3 The possible revolution of everybody's daily life.

12.4 Possible technical positioning approaches and methods for the future.

12.5 Conclusion.

12.6 Exercises.

Bibliography.

Index.

"There is plenty of substantial, accessible material for readers who are looking for general information on the workings and limitations of satellite-based navigation systems." (Computing Reviews, February 25, 2008)

"Global Positioning will appeal to engineers for its detail, to scientists for its breadth and scope, and to the curious public who will choose to read it without concentration on its detail. Highly recommended." (CHOICE, October 2008)

Nel Samama, PhD, has been Associate Professor in the Electronics and Physics Department at the Institut Telecom/Telecom & Management SudParis (France) since 1997. Previously, he spent nearly a decade with Thomson-CSF (now Thales).

From stars to terrestrial networks and satellites

From outdoors to indoors

From ancient to future applications

From techniques to technologies . . .

The field of radionavigation signals and systems has seen significant growth in recent years. Satellite systems are very efficient, but owing to their limited exposure and/or availability in some environments, they do not cover the whole spectrum of applications. Thus, many other positioning techniques are being developed.

Now, Global Positioning presents an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of various systems with a specific emphasis on those that are satellite-based. Beginning with a description of the evolution of positioning systems, the book provides detailed coverage of the three main Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations, discusses how to cope with indoor positioning, defines development activities and commercial positioning, and proposes a vision for the future of the field.

Special features of the book include:

• Exercises to test and challenge the reader's understanding

• Direct comparison between constellations and other positioning systems

• Mathematical content kept to a minimum in order to maximize accessibility and readability

• Descriptions of European and U.S. discussions for Galileo

• Historical aspects and links between the distant past and current systems

• Footnotes that provide hints and comments to the reader

At a time when the positioning domain is experiencing such immense transformation, it is vital to have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles, current tech-nologies, and future improvements that will help estimate the performance and limita-tions of existing systems. Global Positioning fills an important need for professionals and students in a variety of fields who want a complete and authoritative overview of global positioning techniques.