GPS 3: The Next Generation of GPS
The GPS block III is set to roll out in the coming years with drastic improvements in accuracy and security
The U.S. Space Force has certified the first four satellites as operational in its new generation of Global Positioning System (GPS III), which is considered the latest and most accurate navigation system for military and civilian use. This new constellation of satellites will offer enhanced accuracy and security capabilities, as well as improved positioning capabilities for users worldwide.
What is GPS 3?
GPS 3 is the third generation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation. It was designed to provide better accuracy and reliability than previous generations of GPS satellites. It is also much more durable than its predecessors, as it is deemed to have about 15 years of design life. GPS 3 has demonstrated improved anti-jamming capabilities and also, reduces attenuation.
This is especially important in urban areas, where GPS signals can be blocked by tall buildings or even trees. GPS 3 will be able to work around these obstacles more effectively than previous generations of satellites.
The most significant improvement over previous versions of GPS is its ability to detect and avoid jamming signals. Jamming occurs when someone tries to interfere with your GPS devices by sending a signal at the same time as you’re trying to use them. GPS 3 has a new military signal known as M-code that can identify and deter them.
GPS 3 also has a new radio frequency that allows it to transmit more data than earlier versions of the system. This means it will be able to provide more accurate readings for users on the ground who don’t have access to an internet connection or cell phone service.
It offers 3-times greater accuracy and up to 8-times improved anti-jamming capabilities
In GPS III, signals from multiple satellites will be received simultaneously and processed together into one unified signal for transmission back down to Earth. The result will be better accuracy for all users — not just military personnel but also commercial pilots and anyone else who relies on GPS for navigation or location services.
You can expect the new GPS 3 to be able to track moving objects more accurately than ever before. The GPS 2 systems have a 5–10 meter accuracy, but GPS 3 will have a 1–3 meter accuracy, which makes it more accurate than ever. By this, locations can be detected more precisely than ever.
GPS 3 can help in having a more accurate data capture for GIS-based web mapping applications such as Google Maps. Hence, routes and locations will be more exact and detailed than before.
The advanced M-code signal will provide more robust and secure communications
The M-code signal in GPS 3 will provide more robust and secure communications with enhanced security and anti-jamming features. It can also be used to conceal the identity of the GPS satellite from an adversary. This is a critical requirement for certain missions, such as monitoring or tracking an adversary’s movements. The M-code signals also have advanced encryption and anti-spoofing capabilities.
Another military benefit of M-code is that it helps in achieving the “Blue-on-Blue jamming” technique. Blue-on-Blue jamming occurs when two transmitters are trying to transmit at the same time but only one transmitter can be heard over another. This type of jamming results from an attempt to steal one’s signal from the airwaves, usually from a more powerful broadcaster.
Here the M-code signal is more powerful than the commercial GPS L1 C/A signal, thus allowing the M-code signals to be heard by friendly forces and jam the commercial GPS L1 C/A signal.
GPS III has a longer lifespan and provides a greater margin of availability
The GPS III satellite constellation is expected to be operational until at least 2043, with an estimated service life of more than 15 years.
The GPS III is designed for superior performance and orbit stability, enabling greater positioning accuracy and increased availability. The first satellite in the constellation launched in August 2018, and final launches will continue through 2022–2023.
The GPS III provides a high degree of accuracy through its use of the next-generation L1C and L2C frequencies. This enhanced position determination capability allows the GPS III to provide three times more time-stamped navigation information than the previous generation satellites.
The satellites are expected to be equipped with laser retro-reflectors (LRRs), which will allow them to communicate with other satellites and would also minimize satellite clock errors.
It is also expected that DASS (Distress Alerting Satellite System) will be integrated with the second increment of GPS III satellites. The Distress Alerting Satellite System (DASS) is a satellite-based system that monitors and records distress signals from ships and aircraft to help search and rescue operations. The system works by detecting the transmission of a distress signal from an onboard beacon, which relays the information to a receiving station on land. The receiving station then relays the message to search and rescue authorities via telephone, radio, or other means.
Conclusion
GPS III is going to be a step up from the previous generations. It will certainly have an interesting effect on navigation, along with these new capabilities being added. Bottom line: Yes, the GPS III is a big upgrade. It will increase accuracy, it will have more reliable signal communication, and users will see less disruption from ionospheric interference than what was previously seen with the earlier versions of the GPS system. The advancements being made by this new generation of GPS satellites will certainly be welcome. In fact, they should improve our lives in many different ways.
