Course 135: Practical GPS for Professional Users

Instructors	Mr. Keith D. McDonald, NavtechGPS Mr. Franck Boynton, NavtechGPS
Objectives	• To provide a practical and conceptual grasp of GPS and DGPS principles, applications and equipment. The course is designed such that an engineering background is not required or expected. Almost no math will be committed in this course! • To present GPS concepts and equipment applications with informative, easy-to-follow presentations using clear figures, computer demonstrations, and live GPS equipment. • To bring professional GPS users, technical sales staff, and others up to speed quickly on GPS and DGPS. • To offer practical engineering guidance and data to attendees making decisions regarding equipment use, selection or purchase.
Who Should Attend?	• Those entering the GPS field who need a rapid grounding in GPS and DGPS principles, techniques, status & applications. • Professional users who wish to better understand new developments in GPS and DGPS, as well as future capabilities. • Those involved in making business decisions about GPS. • Sales, marketing and advanced development staff requiring a better understanding of GPS and DGPS operation, applications, and potential markets.
Course Schedule	DAY 1 Mr. Keith McDonald, NavtechGPS
	8:30 - GPS System Description, Applications and Status Receivers & boards: technology and services GPS characteristics, capabilities Nav technique; 4-satellite ranging System segments, interdependence GPS configuration; JPO, functions 9:45 - GPS Performance and Policy Accuracy, avail., integrity, SPS, PPS DoD & DoT policy, Anti-Spoof (A-S), system status, applications GPS Space Segment; *How sats* *and orbit data affect system op’s.* Orbital parameters, Kepler’s laws; ephemeris data Block I, II, IIA, IIR, IIR-M, IIF, III features 11:00 - GPS Constellation; Coverage and Performance; How satellite *geometry affects rcvr performance* Dilution of precision (DOP), visibility, analysis methods GPS Operational Control Segment (OCS); How OCS *uploads & monitors the GPS constellation* OCS network, functions, operation, vulnerabilities 12:00 - Lunch on your own 1:30 - GPS System Concept and Operation Position determination techniques; pseudoranging Signal structure, modulation, spectrum Pseudorandom noise (PRN) codes, C/A, P(Y) codes GPS data message, format, data transmitted by S/C Correlation processing; signal acquisition; power levels, signal policy, pseudoranging Navigation solution; velocity solution 2:45 - Error Sources & Receiver Effects Systematic and random errors, tropospheric effects, dispersion Ionospheric propagation effects AFGD ionospheric model;2-frequency correction Multipath, mitigation techniques; error budgets; SPS and PPS signals 4:00 - Introduction to DGPS Precision relative measurements Differential operation, common bias terms GPS Receivers, Architectures and Equipment Receiver config's; types & performance Receiver block diagrams; carrier and code tracking loops Carrier smoothing, aiding Receiver sequence of operation 5:00 - Day One (Course 111) Ends
	DAY 2 Mr. Franck Boynton, NavtechGPS
	8:30 - Overview Signal acquisition & processing Receiver system & hardware types System and hardware integration Augmentations & applications Getting the most out of your equipment 9:45 - Types of GPS Acquisition & Processing Post-processing: code, carrier phase Real-time: autonomous, DGPS code, DGPS carrier phase, assisted correction (E911) Data links, WAAS, OmniSTAR, StarFire, CORS, USCG Functionality and methods used for applications Review of different correction methods. How to implement and use each one. Accuracy levels and trade-offs 11:00 - Anatomy of a GPS Receiver System From the GPS satellite transmission antenna to data output; what happens in between? Transmission of GPS signals from spacecraft Atmospheric effects on signal, range loss User equipment: antenna, RF cable, GPS receiver, RF front-end, digital processing Processing, real time DGPS corrections, user settings, data storage types, output information 12:00 - Lunch on your own 1:30 - GPS Receiver Hardware Types *(with projection of receiver displays)* Commercial GPS stand-alone receivers GPS boards, antennas, antenna pre-amps Differential receivers and accessories Data link equipment, coverage regions Survey receivers and software 2:45 - Operations Equipment operation, observations Data, data logging, GPS analysis programs Post processing of data 4:00 - Component Integration Principles: How to select and combine components to do your job efficiently and effectively Typical available components Integration guidelines Connectors, adaptors Power requirements, batteries, characteristics Commercial protocols Signal compatibility Typical projects Operating system examples Discussion - Bring in your tasks or problems! 5:00 - Day Two ends
	DAY 3 Mr. Boynton and Mr. McDonald
	8:30 - GPS Applications: Land GIS Development: Data Collection Demonstration Geographic Information System (GIS) needs, types What can it do for me? How does it typically operate? Aux. systems: laser, optical range finder, camera 9:45 - Point Position Georeferencing Example: How to Create a Corn Maze Georeference known earth points to a map to create an "amazing" working final product Geodetic point acquisition Map creation and georeferencing Application of results 11:00 - Working Indoors to Test Your Equipment: GPS Signal Repeater and Hardware Techniques Equipment needed: antennas, amps, etc. Calculating gain and transmission distances Accuracies and hardwire connections Safety concerns, and RF emission regulations Installation guidelines 12:00 - Lunch on your own 1:30 - New Signals and Systems: GPS Modernization, GLONASS, Galileo What will be available in the future? Practical Equipment Issues: How to make sure your GPS equipment gives you good results Things to consider before starting to work Troubleshooting problems in the field How to tell if you’re getting the results you need. What you can do yourself and when to call for help Help sources 4:00 - GPS Workshop on Applications: Attendees will form special interest groups to discuss a defined implementation/application problem for ~30 minutes. Considerations: definition of needs, cost issues, COTS use, etc. Groups will develop a prototype system solution using GPS. Groups will present results and leas a discussion of results with the attendees. Informal interaction between attendees is planned and encouraged. Summary of Program Q & A, Discussion 5:00 - Course ends
Materials You Will Keep	• A notebook containing all materials presented in the course. • A CD-ROM containing a variety of GPS references and useful, practical, supplementary materials to help you in your ongoing, applications-related activities. • A voucher for the following text or a substitute of your choice: The GPS Manual, Principles & Applications, Dye & Baylin, Baylin Publications, 1997.
Continuing Education Units	1.8 (18 hours) for Course 135 0.6 (6 hours) for Course 111
Attendee Quotes	“Availability of instructors for question is appreciated. San Diego was superb location. Informal, relaxed presentation style, superb slides.” - Name withheld “I am in acquisition engineering. This gives me enough background to know what questions to ask the contractor and the contract officer.” - Kevin L. Williams, GPS Joint Program Office, El Segundo “I must commend the manner the course was run. The place (hotel and San Diego itself) was a good choice, the weather was nice, the duration of the course was also adequate to cover everything I need to know about essential GPS and the presenters were also the best people in GPS community esp. Keith and Franck. I have now better in-depth knowledge about GPS. I have a high level of confidence to deal with my GPS contractors.” - Sahari Abdul Aziz, Carigali-Triton Operating Co Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia Return to top of page