U.S. May Reduce Non-Military GPS Accuracy
03-19-2003, 10:14 AM
#1
U.S. May Reduce Non-Military GPS Accuracy
FRANKFURT (AFP) Mar 18, 2003
Drivers whose cars are equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) may be the first to know when war breaks out against Iraq, a German automobile club said Tuesday.
The satellite-based system, funded and controlled by the US Department of Defense, provides specially coded signals that can be processed to enable the receiver to compute their position, speed and time.
Its primary function is in navigation for aircraft, ships and vehicles such as taxis.
But while there are thousands of civil users of GPS worldwide, the system was designed for, and is operated by, the US military.
The German automobile club AvD said experts fear that just before military action against Iraq, which seems likely to start later this week, the signals will be encoded in order to make them less accurate.
The argument is that by doing so, the enemy -- in this case Iraq -- would not be able to exploit the system to pinpoint US-led forces sweeping into the country.
Currently, the GPS system has an accuracy to within around five metresfeet), but AvD said it could be reduced to more than 100 metres.
Not a big problem for a ship at sea, perhaps, but bad news for drivers in crowded cities.
---
http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/03031....7p1uva5u.html
Just FYI for the Navi folks, posted on slashdot.
Drivers whose cars are equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) may be the first to know when war breaks out against Iraq, a German automobile club said Tuesday.
The satellite-based system, funded and controlled by the US Department of Defense, provides specially coded signals that can be processed to enable the receiver to compute their position, speed and time.
Its primary function is in navigation for aircraft, ships and vehicles such as taxis.
But while there are thousands of civil users of GPS worldwide, the system was designed for, and is operated by, the US military.
The German automobile club AvD said experts fear that just before military action against Iraq, which seems likely to start later this week, the signals will be encoded in order to make them less accurate.
The argument is that by doing so, the enemy -- in this case Iraq -- would not be able to exploit the system to pinpoint US-led forces sweeping into the country.
Currently, the GPS system has an accuracy to within around five metresfeet), but AvD said it could be reduced to more than 100 metres.
Not a big problem for a ship at sea, perhaps, but bad news for drivers in crowded cities.
---
http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/03031....7p1uva5u.html
Just FYI for the Navi folks, posted on slashdot.
03-19-2003, 10:47 AM
#3
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Well….They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do.
From what I’ve heard though, the accuracy of the system can be selectively adjusted in certain areas.
For instance, they could just scramble the signal in the “trouble” areas of the globe where the action is happening.
Does anyone know how many satellites make up the system?
Are we talking 40-50 or is there more like HUNDREDS of them up there ???
Shawn S
From what I’ve heard though, the accuracy of the system can be selectively adjusted in certain areas.
For instance, they could just scramble the signal in the “trouble” areas of the globe where the action is happening.
Does anyone know how many satellites make up the system?
Are we talking 40-50 or is there more like HUNDREDS of them up there ???
Shawn S
03-19-2003, 10:51 AM
#4
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Hmmm
Who needs Navi to find out what is going when you got friends that e-mail you this kind of stuff...
Smittyhttp://www.funforwards.com/flash/september02/saddam.swf
Smittyhttp://www.funforwards.com/flash/september02/saddam.swf
03-19-2003, 10:54 AM
#5
Where is my super sauce?
The system uses both GPS and yaw/roll sensors to locate the car. It's been pretty accurate even when I'm not getting a satellite signal (tunnels, woods...). We'll see if the change with the GPS makes a huge difference.
At most, this will be a minor inconvenience - a small price to pay in support of this operation.
At most, this will be a minor inconvenience - a small price to pay in support of this operation.
03-19-2003, 12:19 PM
#6
Unregistered Member
Exactly.....the navi system doesn't rely as much on GPS as some people might think.
Gyroscope and speed sensors will keep it nearly as accurate with SA on or off. I'd bet that most people will not even notice any difference.
Gyroscope and speed sensors will keep it nearly as accurate with SA on or off. I'd bet that most people will not even notice any difference.
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03-19-2003, 03:28 PM
#8
Moderator Alumnus
Re: Ridiculous
Originally posted by lank5893
This seems to be utter nonsense. The US has and will be using a plethora of GPS guided bombs in the Iraq attack. If anything, accuracy would go up.
Lucan
This seems to be utter nonsense. The US has and will be using a plethora of GPS guided bombs in the Iraq attack. If anything, accuracy would go up.
Lucan
The military would not be effected by this change. Public GPS receivers mainly.
03-19-2003, 03:44 PM
#9
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We have 24 GPS Satellites up in orbit.
Shawn is right - They may selectively degrade the public GPS accuracy in certain areas such as the Middle East, but it should remain the same in the US
Shawn is right - They may selectively degrade the public GPS accuracy in certain areas such as the Middle East, but it should remain the same in the US
03-19-2003, 05:34 PM
#10
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Its no problem if this happens when I got my 2000 TL w/Nav in late 1999 remember the current accuracy we have now was not there. Vice President Al Gore flipped a switch to make the GPS systems more accurate. I can't remeber exactly what was done but it happen sometime soon after I got my car. I think it made it possible to tell what side of the road you are on looking at the Nav & a bit closer in accuracy in feet. All the military did was flip a switch to do this. I have a print somewhere around that explained everything but can't put my hands on it at this time.
03-19-2003, 06:28 PM
#13
Race Director
Here is a really good FAQ on the GPS system.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/faq/gpsfaq.htm
This one is provied by the US Coast Guard
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/faq/gpsfaq.htm
This one is provied by the US Coast Guard
03-19-2003, 06:59 PM
#14
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Originally posted by Beelzebub
Here is a really good FAQ on the GPS system.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/faq/gpsfaq.htm
This one is provied by the US Coast Guard
Here is a really good FAQ on the GPS system.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/faq/gpsfaq.htm
This one is provied by the US Coast Guard
03-19-2003, 07:08 PM
#15
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