Official U.S. government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
Civil GPS Service Interface Committee
International Information Subcommittee
Regional Meeting
Salt Lake City 1993
The International Information Subcommittee (IISC) of the Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) convened in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 21, 1993.
The original meeting minutes are below.
CIVIL GPS SERVICE INTERFACE COMMITTEE ( CGSIC )
INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SUB-COMMITTEE ( IISC )
RECORD OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING 21 SEPTEMBER 1993 - SALT LAKE CITY
1. Meeting agenda at Annex A, attendee list at Annex B, and action list
located Annex C. Meeting started with each representative describing their
status.
Item 1 - Record of the Thirteenth Meeting, Washington DC January 1993
2. The meeting record was accepted. Although there are two organizations in
Japan representing Civil and Government users respectively; the Japan GPS
Council are the civil organization for technical exchange and were confirmed
as the nominated point of contact for CGSIC.
Item 2 - Amsterdam Mini-Meeting, March 1993
3. The meeting record was accepted
Item 3 - Revised IISC Charter
4. The draft document was approved ( See Annex E ) and will be submitted to
the CGSIC Co - Chairmen for adoption. Two points were clarified in that GPS
does mean DGPS which is a derivative of it. Furthermore, as IISC
predominately addresses Information Exchange, then the objective statement
referring to request and concerns does cover the issue of standards.
Item 4 - European Update
5. A European meeting of IISC will be held in Edinburgh on the 6th/7th of
December 1993.
6. IISC have received a letter from the Director - General of Department
VII at the Commission of the European Communities ( see Annex D ). He has
arranged for a brief statement on radionavigation policy to be forwarded for
inclusion in the CGSIC September 1993 meeting record.
7. A meeting between the Commission of the European Communities and
government experts concerning the creation of a European Radionavigation Plan
is scheduled for September 1993. The latest information will be provided by
the EC representative at the IISC European meeting.
8. The Netherlands have compiled a Radionavigation Plan.
9. The Norwegian Radionavigation Plan will initially be presented October
1993, issued end of 1993. Further statement provided at IISC European
meeting.
Item 5 - European User Group
10. Walter Blanchard outlined the necessity to establish an International
Civil GNSS Office, in particular to manage institutional, engineering,
control, operation and coordination issues. The permanent full time office
would require to be staffed by senior specialist representatives who
understood the requirements of varied civil users. Potential models for GNSS
office formation are the Japan GPS Council, the Australian Survey and Land
Information Group, and the COSPAS/SARSAT agreement.
11. Walter stressed the necessity for the office to be ancillary and
supportive to existing international organization such as IMO, IALA, ICAO
etc. However, ICAO FANS expected to recommend GNSS office establishment at
September 93 meeting and IMO Safety of Navigation Committee as well. European
Commission also support GNSS office establishment.
12. First formal meeting to establish this office took place April 93 during
DSNS 93 conference in Amsterdam. Further meeting arranged for October 93 in
Paris and the International Association of the Institutes of Navigation could
lead to establish the proposed office.
13. The CGSIC Co - Chairman was concerned about conflictions with existing
international organizations but would inform the US authorities of the GNSS
office establishment proposal and Paris meeting arrangement. George Preiss
recommended International Geophysical Service participation in operational,
legal and technical matters concerning office establishment.
Post meeting notes
14. The Paris meeting passed a resolution authorizing the International
Association of the Institutes of Navigation ( primarily the French, German,
Netherlands and United Kingdom organizations ) to prepare a draft document
outlining GNSS Office establishment procedures. The draft document to be
presented during DSNS 94 in London for approval and implementation.
15. More than one speaker firmly advocated the necessity to involve America
and Russia with their strong space and aerospace activities.
Frequency Allocation for Differential Services
16. UKCSG initiated discussion of this topic. Offshore surveyors are
currently experiencing difficulties with interference to DGPS. Their
transmissions are categorised as a Radiocommunications service and therefore
not as either Radionavigation ( primary status ) or Radiolocation ( secondary
status ). Currently the UK Department of Transport, Radiocommunications
Agency is conducting a study to determine the needs of offshore users and
endeavouring to identify suitable frequencies for their use.
17. The meeting decided that the frequencies for DGPS data links should be
classified in a similar manner to those used for Radionavigation and
approaches should be made to the appropriate IMO and ICAO committees
regarding the categorisation question for Radionavigation, Radiolocation,
Radiopositioning, Radiodetermination and Radiocommunication services.
18. DGPS transmissions from radiobeacons are categorised as Radionavigation
services. Apparently DGPS frequencies throughout the North American Continent
are protected and the USCG use a single carrier for combined RDF/DGPS
transmissions.
19. The Japan GPS Council are now studying and coordinating with the
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on behalf of Civil Users to agree
DGPS frequency usage both DGPS and alerting information concerning car
navigation. In fact, a FM subcarrier will be partially used for DGPS
transmissions.
Item 7 - National Updates
20. Sweden - More powerful PC provided for the Bulletin Board and
approximate 315 files downloaded per week. Network of 20 reference stations
established to study crustal dynamics and 5 reference stations for maritime
applications.
21. Poland - Main prototype Bulletin Board in Warsaw with subcentre in
Gydnia for maritime users. Currently Retransmits GPSIC Data from Norway to
non real time users but intends to establish own Bulletin Board in 1994. Data
is distributed on request to Geodesists, Navigators etc. One public DGPS
service from an unencrypted maritime radiobeacon transmission, incorporating
local Integrity Monitoring.
22. Trimble 4000SST used for satellite orbit determination purposes and data
is forward to Germany and Austria. Initiated International project involving
35 station campaign, to create and establish geodetic reference frame for
Central Europe.
23. Japan - The Japan GPS Council has 91 members, 70 members are
associated with Navigation and Communications. In may 1993, JGPSC hosted a
DGPS symposium and established a committee to coordinate DGPS activities and
recommend operational procedures, especially for portable type equipments.
Membership of CGSIC has proved beneficial to JGPSC, who are confirmed as the
Japanese POC.
24. The DGPS committee will assist with the creation of a DGPS
infrastructure and examine technical issues including data transmission
methods and the frequency requirements. Also attend to problems and recommend
implementation methods.
25. The Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunications maintain a watching brief on the global trends concerning
DGPS and the developments in local and worldwide Integrity Monitoring
Systems. JGPSC is concerned with the use of DGPS by the general public,
whereas aviation usage is a matter for government.
26. Extensive DGPS usage for car navigation already occurs and it is of
benefit to the general public. However the debate concerning open or closed
systems continues, but it is feasible to collect fees for such systems.
27. Canada - There are no plans to establish a Bulletin Board but one
is provided by the University of New Brunswick. The service from GPSIC proves
more than adequate.
28. There is a DGPS working group which is examining the operational and
technical requirements for maritime applications. The policy deliberations
are ongoing and expected to be concluded within one to two months. Current
issues relate to the open or closed service question, buoy positioning policy
and methods, however the principle of user pays will apply.
29. Nationwide DGPS coastal coverage is intended within 2 years and a
network of 26 radiobeacons are potentially required. Currently, 8 stations
are operational on an experimental basis, two each on the east and west
coast, 3 in the Great Lakes and one in Newfoundland. Additionally there are
3 Integrity Monitor stations, 2 reference stations and one DGPS Integrity
Monitor station. A study to assess closed loop control for radiobeacons has
started. The update rate for Integrity Monitor warnings for maritime purposes
is 10 seconds whereas for aviation 5 seconds is required.
30. Transport Canada Aviation have formed a group which includes Federal,
Local and Government representatives. It has liaised with the FAA and studies
GPS use for IFR, enroute and NPA flight phases.
31. A two year ECDIS project is supported by the Canadian Coast Guard and
the Canadian Hydrographic organizations. Six systems are receiving evaluation
aboard a variety of marine platforms including VLCC's and Ferries.
Additionally 20 vessels are fitted with ECDIS and require DGPS.
32. The Survey authorities continue to operate the Active Control Stations.
These stations collect data for orbit determination purposes. Both real time
and post processing services are available to the general public.
33. Australia - The Australian Surveying and Land Information Groups
operate a free access Bulletin Board. It is updated by information from both
GPSIC and USNO. Although good almanacs and data are available from them,
weekly ephemeris is desirable from USNO. AUSLIG also coordinates user groups
at both federal and local level in each state.
34. A network of national and regional GPS tracking stations are being
established. Currently, there are 10 stations in Australia and 3 in
Antarctica. These stations will contribute towards the creation of a national
multi-purpose integrity monitor service. Two additional stations may be
required by the Maritime Authority, with perhaps other installations for the
Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence. Each tracking station
is fitted with 2 dual frequency receivers and a computer.
35. 50 DGPS base stations are either planned or exist for government and
private users. The Australian Maritime Safety Agency is setting up a network
or base stations for coastal navigation. The issue concerning government
provision of open systems has yet to be resolved, and in fact two resource
companies provide an encrypted service.
36. The aviation authorities require a 10 second update for Integrity
warning purposes and data recording for GPS traceability purposes. Another
project concerns laser ranging to GPS and Glonass satellites.
37. On the 11th of august, 4 mobile platforms reported GPS unusable outages
for 18 hour periods.
38. Norway - There are three major projects related to GPS, namely the
GPS Information Service, SATREF and support to the International Geophysical
Service. The Bulletin Board continues operating and forwards information to
both Saudia Arabia and Poland, the newsletter is now subscription based.
39. The SATREF project continues and its configuration is based on 10
carefully located reference stations which forward raw phase data to a
control centre located in Honefoss. The control centre then forwards DGPS
correction data to transmission mediums, currently five radiobeacons operated
by the Coast Directorate Department. SATREF communication links use
landlines, but for the new spitzbergen VLBI station, a satellite link will be
provided. It is also planned to forward DGPS corrections via FM/AM broadcast
stations, but the development of a suitable receiver is under consideration.
Additionally, a purpose fitted vehicle to use SATREF to establish a road
database is operated by Statens Kartverk.
40. DGPS correction data transmissions will be ' in the clear ' and the GPS
Information Service plan to issue local warnings for individual reference
stations.
41. Statens Kartverk are authorized PPS Users and comply with the necessary
US and Norwegian government directives.
42. United Kingdom - The Bulletin Board continues operation and also the
well used Fax information service.
43. The network of 11 radiobeacons broadcasting DGPS correction data is
complete and provides nationwide coastal coverage. A private company have
signed an agreement with the General Lighthouse Authority to use the
radiobeacons as transmission mediums. All other equipment is the
responsibility of the private company.
44. The General Lighthouse Authority have completed a study concerning the
need or otherwise for a GPS Integrity Warning System to meet maritime
requirements. This report is currently with the UK Department of Transport
for study and decisions are awaited concerning its recommendations.
45. United States - The provision of a nationwide Integrity Monitor
Service is receiving considering and a decision should be reached by December
1993. This system could perhaps be incorporated with the maritime DGPS
correction system to be deployed by the USCG in 1996.
46. The DOD require to monitor the Standard Positioning Signal under a need
to know scenario and a technical resolution to enhance their existing systems
is under evaluation.
Item 8 - Housekeeping
a. Review Point of Contact List
47. Any POC which is unheard from for greater than 12 months will be deleted
from the GPSIC list. GPSIC to provide hard copy to IISC Secretary.
b. Information Package
48. GPSIC to advise changes to George Preiss.
c. Semi-active Distribution
49. The US authorities have responded to the Issue concerning Distribution
of Civil GPS Information. Their reply is located at Annex F.
d. IISC December 1993 European Meeting
50. Arranged for 6th and 7th of December in Edinburgh
Item 9 - Any Other Business
51. Mike Jensen resigned as Vice Chairman due to his impending promotion and
transfer to the Hague. The Sub - committee thanked him for his support and
work on their behalf.
52. Applications and nominations are requested to either the Chairman and/or
Secretary for the new Vice Chairman.
ANNEX A
AGENDA - THIRTEENTH SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING 21.9.1993 - SALT LAKE CITY
1. 13TH Meeting Record - acceptance
2. Amsterdam Mini-Meeting
3. Revised IISC Charter - approval
4. European Update
5. European User Group
6. Frequency Allocation for Differential Services
7. National Updates:
a. DGPS
b. Integrity Monitoring
c. Bulletin Board Operations
8. Housekeeping
a. Review Point of Contact List
b. Information Package
c. Semi-active Distribution
d. IISC December 1993 European Meeting
9. Any Other Business
ANNEX B
LIST OF DELEGATES
--------------- ------------------------------------------
Name Representing Telephone
--------------- ------------------------------------------
Janet Abraham ( interpreter ) Japan #1-206-325-6204
J E Ayres US - DMA #1-703-285-9307
Luann Barndt US - USCG #1-703-866-3806
Walter Blanchard UK - RIN #44-71-589-5021
Victor S G Brennan UK - British #1-202-463-7529
Embassy (C.A. Dept.)
Kevin B Dennehy US - GPS Report #1-301-340-7788 X294
Brian A Estes US - US GAO #1-206-287-4823
Glen G Gibbons US - GPS World #1-503-343-1200
Cdr G T Gunther US - USCG #1-703-313-5801
Martin R Hendry Australia - AUSLIG #81-6-201-4350
Selko Hotta US - Nippondenso #1-313-350-7584
Technical Centre
Noritaka Ibuki Japan - Nippon #81-52-232-1621
Motorola Ltd
Mike Jensen (Vice-Chairman) UK - Shell UK Expro #44-71-257-5221
Bo N G Jonsson Sweden - National #46-26-153738
Land Survey of Sweden
John W Lamons US - DMA at JPO #1-310-363-2284
Yukio Makino Japan #81-44-288-8514
Hiroshi Nishiguchi Japan - Japan GPS #81-3-3839-6844
Council
L O Ollvik Sweden - Dept. of #46-46-109128
Geodetic Surveying
George Preiss (Chairman) Norway - Statens #47-321-18393
Kartverk
Harvey H Russell Canada - CCG #1-613-998-1543
Mike Savill UK - UKCSG #44-31-226-7051
Janusz Sledinski Poland - Inst. of #48-22-258515
Geodesy & Geodetic
Astronomy
Shuichi Takayoshi Japan
Akira Tetematsu Japan - Ministry of #81-3-3504-4964
Posts and Tele -
communications
Yoko Tomabechi (interpreter) Japan #1-206-584-0244
R E Trice US - USSPACECOM #1-719-554-5769
Molly M Trudeau US - GPS World #1-503-343-1200
K K Vorbrich Poland - Polish #48-61-170187
Academy of Sciences
M P Wiedemer US - SMC/CZ #1-310-363-1526
Dr Robert E Wilson US - University of #1-307-766-3188
of Wyoming
Shigekazu Yamamoto Japan - Asia Air #81-798-73-3565
Survey
Yo Yoshitoshi Japan - Mitsubishi #81-795-59-3520
Electric Corp.
ANNEX C
ACTION LIST
Note: Action items are grouped in accordance with
the objectives given in the current IISC
Charter, together with a final group
"Housekeeping" concerning the management of
the Sub-Committee's affairs.
Action Item
INFORMATION NEEDS
I. Report any GPS System integrity
monitoring developments and activity.
(See also Annex R to the report of the
IISC meeting in Norway 11/90.)
II. Report any DGPS Integrity Monitoring
developments and activity.
COMMUNICATIONS NEEDS
II. Information Package development:
A. Distribute questionnaire to other
known information service centres
III. Monitor GPSIC developments.
GENERAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE
IV. Check validity of POC list
HOUSEKEEPING
V. Track formal Issues with CGSIC
Chairmen
VI. Maintain document archive.
VII. Determine Interface to new Reference
Station Subcommittee
VIII. Compile IISC List of achievements for
next CGSIC meeting
Action by
To be
included in
national
reports
To be
included in
national
reports
Chairman
Standing
All
Standing
Standing at
each meeting
Chairman
Standing
Chairman
Secretary
Standing
Chairman/
Secretary
Chairman/
Secretary
ANNEX D
CHARTER FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SUB-COMMITTEE
OF THE
CIVIL GPS SERVICE INTERFACE COMMITTEE
1. Introduction
The Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC) has been in existence for
some years with the objectives of promoting the distribution of information
about the Global Positioning System (GPS) among the Civil User community.
The CGSIC, which is chaired by the US Department of Transportation, has a
number of Sub-Committees.
2. Objectives
a. To provide an open forum for Civil User information exchange
concerning the use of GPS by the international community. To monitor the
development of GPS and recommend action on those issues which concern
international information distribution.
b. To identify the common needs of nations for GPS information, to
respond to such requests and concerns submitted by the international Civil
User community, and to forward issues to the CGSIC.
c. To maintain a list of active points of contact in nations and
international organizations which support CGSIC activities.
3. Definitions
a. "Information exchange" consists of exchanging all forms of GPS
information, including but not limited to, information:
(1) Released internationally by USA as the GPS "proprietor";
(2) Provided to USA by user communities as "feed-back";
(3) Consisting of questions and answers related to GPS arising from
problems that might be encountered from time to time.
b. "Common needs" refer only to those of civilian governmental,
institutional, educational and private agencies, and exclude all
requirements arising from defence considerations.
c. "GPS Information" consists of all forms of information about GPS,
including but not limited to:
(1) Operational GPS status information, as provided by the US
Department of Defence;
(2) GPS systems information;
(3) GPS applications information;
d. "Communications Methods" consists of all forms of communication
including, but not limited to, conventional mail, telephone services and
computer to computer data links. For sophisticated data communications
techniques, individual standard and protocols are to be identified for
compatibility with US systems.
4. Sub-Committee Structure
a. The Sub-Committee is formed by the US Department of Transportation
Civil GPS Service Interface Committee (CGSIC).
b. The Sub-Committee is entitled the "International Information Sub-
Committee (IISC)."
c. The Sub-Committee will have a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and
a Secretary, and may appoint additional officials or working groups at its
own discretion.
d. Attendance at Sub-Committee meetings is encouraged by any
individual or representative of any nation or international organization.
5. Sub-Committee Guidelines
a. The work of this Sub-Committee is to be coordinated with that of
other Sub-Committees that have been formed by the CGSIC.
b. Meeting reports are to be distributed via the US Coast Guard GPS
Information Centre (GPSIC), which acts as the CGSIC secretariat, according
to address lists maintained by the Sub-Committee.
c. The Sub-Committee is to maintain a list of points of contact in
nations and international organizations, and make these lists openly
available, including them on GPS information bulletin boards.
d. The Sub-Committee may arrange its own separate meetings at any
time and place as announced.
e. Delegates attend meetings at their own expense
ANNEX E
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Director-General for Transport
dated 09.07.93
Thankyou for your letter of 8 June 1993 inviting the Commission to
collaborate with CGSIC. I apologize and regret that there has been no
written reply to your earlier letter dated 8 January 1993. However, I
assure your that my services will co-operate fully with the Civil GPS
Service Interface Committee and I would like to inform you herewith of the
latest developments with regard to radionavigation issues at EC level.
On June 1993 the Council of Transport Ministers decided to create a
European Radionavigation plan as a priority within the Community action
programme for the improvement of maritime infrastructures. I enclose a copy
of the Resolution dealing with this matter. With this decision in mind, the
Commission services will consult the government experts in the first half
of September next. Then a meeting with users of radionavigation systems and
CGSIC representatives is scheduled for the beginning of October.
I have asked my services to prepare a brief statement giving the latest
news on radionavigation policy immediately after the meeting with
government experts, so as to be able to forward this up-date to the CGSIC
meeting in Salt Lake City on 20 and 21 September 11993.
I further expect that the terms of reference for the establishment of a
detailed study on the radionavigation plan will be finalized in November.
It will therefore be a pleasure to me to provide the latest information
when giving the closing address of the Edinburgh meeting scheduled for 6
and 7 December 1993.
Yours Sincerely,
Robert J. Coleman
The Director General,
ANNEX F
CIVIL GPS SERVICE ISSUE RESPONSE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date 18 September 1993
Issue Title Distribution of Civil GPS Information
Issue for Resolution Guaranteed reliability and continuity of the
distribution of civil GPS information, including such "active" or semi-
active distribution as may be mutually agreed.
Response The U.S. Government makes the Global Positioning System (GPS)
Standard Positioning Service (SPS) available to users worldwide. As system
operators, the U.S. Government also makes status information on the GPS SPS
available to the user community through the U.S. Coast Guard GPS
Information center (GPSIC). GPSIC's activities fulfill the U.S. Government's
responsibilities to provide navigation status information under the SOLAS
treaty. GPSIC makes the information available through various means,
including data broadcasts and an electronic bulletin board system. The
information is available to anyone who desires to obtain it.
Because the GPS system is operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and
the Civil GPS Interface is handled by the U.S. Department of Transportation
(with the U.S. Coast Guard as the lead agency), the specific requirements
and responsibilities of each Department/agency are outlined in several
Memorandums of Agreement (MOA). Although the GPS is not yet fully
operational, the MOAs defining the roles and responsibilities are already
in force, ensuring necessary user information is available.
If an individual nation desires information be actively provided in a means
requiring extra expenditure of funds, a government-to-government request
would need to be initiated by that nation and submitted to the U.S. State
Department. A formal agreement would have to be negotiated for such
services, documenting the specific information needed, each country's
responsibilities, and on a reimbursable basis to the U.S.
Action Taken Established INTERNET connection to GPSIC BBS through
FEDWORLD BBS.
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CIVIL GPS SERVICE ISSUE RESPONSE TO IISC/4/92
