Course 228: Merging GPS and Communications

Instructor	Dr. Stephen Heppe, Insitu Group
About This Course	Navigation and communications are increasingly intertwined in today's emerging applications. For many difficult areas, a combination of available (partial) GPS info and mobile communications data is necessary to operate successfully. However, these systems can not only support, but at times interfere with one another. To communicate or determine your position successfully, you need the proper wireless data link system... and you've got lots of choices! This three day course will (1) give you an understanding of comm & nav system interrelationships, (2) discuss design considerations for individual system elements for position determination and data links, and (3) tell you how to effectively use them in the field. It also provides a survey of terrestrial wireless data systems and identifies future enhancements that can enable new navigation applications. For anyone needing to improve or communicate position and/or other data from the field, this course is for you!
Who Should Attend?	This course is a must for anyone attempting to develop an integrated nav/comm application, or anyone attempting to choose between an "off-the shelf" versus a "home grown" DGPS system. It's also useful for engineers new to nav, comm, or differential systems; program managers trying to "ride herd on those crazy engineers" and analysts trying to understand the current trends shaping tomorrow's applications.
Prerequisites	A basic knowledge of GPS system operation is assumed Familiarity with communications and engineering terms and analysis methods An understanding of GPS principles, as in Course 111, Course 122, Course 135 or Course 356.
Course Schedule	DAY 1 *Dr. Stephen Heppe*
	8:30 - Merging Navigation and Communications • Enhanced 911 applications: FCC rules, options • Integrated in-vehicle navigation and tracking systems with data links • Asset tracking and monitoring • Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) for aviation 9:45 - Parts of the Puzzle - Systems and Protocols for Voice and Data • What does the user need? • System alternatives for voice and circuit-switched data techniques • System alternatives employing packet data • Case Study: the IS-801 standard for CDMA cellular networks 11:00 - Interference Considerations for Navigation and Communications • RF interference environment and concerns • The expected and the unexpected • RFI and jamming • Shadowing, blockage and multipath effects on navigation and communications • Interference mitigation techniques and applicability 12:00 - Lunch On Your Own 1:30 - Fundamentals of Data Link Design with GPS Examples (A Quick Tour of Comm Theory/Engineering and Technology; Key Elements of Importance) • Probability and queuing theory and their applications to Data Link (DL) and comm • Modulating information and detecting it at the receiver • Current modulation methods and performance differences • Correcting errors in transmission; GPS and comm • Compressing information for efficient transmission; reducing capacity needs 2:45 - Data and Comm Link Budget Analysis • Impact of waveform, coding, diversity and error sources • Link budget examples - How well does the link actually perform? Improvement techniques • Single and repeatered link; satcom; DGPS and other links 4:00 - Paradigms, Integrity and Practical Examples • Key insights to modern data links and paradigms • Authentication • Data integrity • DL design examples: VHF; UHF; Line-of-Sight; Urban 5:00 - Day One Ends
	DAY 2 Dr. Heppe
	8:30 - Determining DL Needs - Requirements Analysis • System requirements for reliable GPS/DL operations • GPS and DL capacity and access considerations; trade-offs Spectrum Issues: Selecting Best DL Frequency • Frequency band allocations • Current signal classes • FCC and NTIA roles • Obtaining approvals • Avoiding delays and pitfalls • Examples 9:45 - Case Study I: Automatic Dependent Surveillance for Civil Aviation • International standards for ADS data link broadcast • ADS-B with VHF Data Link Mode 4 • Historical position reporting versus intent • Navigating on the communications signal • Other data link applications 11:00 - Case Study II: Techniques for Solving Tough Problems in Poor Conditions • Techniques for indoor GPS • In-car applications • Vector tracking and IDN receivers • Ranging on the mobile comm signal for position • Other techniques • Use environments 12:00 - Course Ends
Continuing Education Units	0.9 (9 hours)
Materials You Will Keep	A notebook containing copies of all materials presented. Return to top of page