GPS Control Software Glitch

Date: 1/3/2010

Source: GPS World(1) and GPS World(2)

Following the announcement by the GPS Wing of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to start repositioning GPS satellites to a new a “24+3 configuration” to improve accuracy, the GPS Wing has also released a software update.

The software update is part of the GPS modernisation effort and will add new capabilities such as:

• Telemetry
• Tracking
• Commanding for the new GPS IIF space vehicle
• Security improvements.

However, the live introduction of new functions is causing problems, with some receivers intermittently failing to track Y-code signals.

The GPS Wing has issued the following Notice Advisory to Navstar Users (NANU):

“On 11 January 2010, the GPS Master Control Station loaded new operational control system software to support future GPS modernization capabilities and signals.  The software has been in operational soak and the GPS Master Control Station has received a few user concerns related to the software update.  Military users can find additional information at the GPSOC SIPRNet website at http://gpsoc.afspc.af.smil.mil.  The GPS Master Control Station is preparing to complete soak of the new software in preparation for final install.  In support of the final install decision, the GPS Master Control Station requests that operational military and civil users provide any impacts encountered that are believed to be related to the new software or started after the 11 January 2010 install.   Military or civil users please contact the GPSOC (military) or NAVCEN (civil) at the numbers listed below no later than 29 January 2010.  Any user impacts will be presented at the decision brief for final install of the new GPS Master Control Station software.”

ITS Radar International will continue to monitor GPS developments

Key words: Galileo, Geographic information