Raytheon demonstrates GAGAN at Farnborough

Bangalore, July 18 (UNI) The US defence major Raytheon company has successfully completed the Preliminary System Acceptance Test for the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation-Technology Demonstration System (GAGAN-TDS) for aircraft navigation.

GAGAN-TDS was the first phase of a project, sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) in partnership with Raytheon, to implement a space-based navigation system in Indian air space.

Raytheon informed about the project at a media briefing on its India operations at the Farnborough Air Show today, according to a company release here.

With completion of the Preliminary System Acceptance Test, Raytheon would next work with ISRO to integrate the ground elements to a geosynchronous satellite. After integration, a signal-in-space broadcast of the GAGAN-TDS messages would be demonstrated.

The test was significant because the GAGAN-TDS ground elements supplied by Raytheon were installed and integrated ahead of schedule. The system functioned properly and exceeded the accuracy requirements, Mr Andy Zogg, Vice-President of Raytheon's Airspace Management and Homeland Security business, said at the briefing.

''The performance on this test solidifies Raytheon's leadership position in satellite-based navigation and continues a Raytheon track record of successfully deploying software intensive networked systems,'' he added.

GAGAN-TDS network monitored the GPS signals for errors and then generated correction messages to improve the accuracy of end-user's position solution. During the test period, average accuracy was better than one metre horizontally and only slightly more than one metre vertically, thus surpassing the 7.6 metre requirement by a significant margin, the release said.

GAGAN was among the several systems being deployed around the world as part of an initiative endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation to help civil aircraft transition to satellite-based signals from ground-based navigation aids. The technology enhanced navigation in all phases of flight.

GAGAN-TDS programme consisted of an Indian Monitor and Control Centre in Bangalore, an Indian Land Uplink Station in Bangalore and eight Indian Reference Stations distributed throughout India.

Raytheon supplied the subsystems, installed the units in partnership with ISRO and AAI, and then integrated the system through data links provided by ISRO and AAI.

UNI VK GD RKN1735