Detecting false signals with automatic gain control

A component of most GPS receiver front-ends, the automatic gain control (AGC) can flag potential jamming and spoofing attacks. The detection method is simple to implement and accessible to most GPS receivers. It may be used alone or as a complement other anti-spoofing architectures. This article presents results from a baseline AGC characterization, develos a simple spoofing detection method, and demonstrate the results of that method on receiver data gathered in the presence of a live spoofing attack.

Thrust, parry, riposte: desperate lightsquared fencing

Both comment and reply periods on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Proceeding Number 11-109 have closed, and the agency may render a decision at any time regarding LightSquared’s rights — or not — to interfere with the GPS signal from coast to coast. The company marked the closing of the reply period with a letter to the FCC claiming that GPS receivers do not comply with U.S. Department of Defense guidelines issued in 2008. Meanwhile, a key participant in FCC and GPS discussions with preceding holders of the LightSquared spectrum confirmed that recent statements by the current owners of rights to the Mobile Subscriber Service (MSS) band are “not an accurate perception” of the creation of an ancillary terrestrial component within the MSS space-to-earth band. Confused? Ill at ease? Out of sorts? Tune in to GPS World’s Thursday, August 18 webinar with two Washington D.C. experts on the subject, to sort out the tangled skein.

Gps-wireless locates lbs profits in four-year growth spurt

Analysts predict a four-year growth leap in Internet-connected vehicles, but only some companies, products, and services are poised to turn a profit on this new jumping-the-chasm development. Who are they, and what is their strategy? This topic is a key focus of the GPS-Wireless 2012 conference. Early registration, saving $100, ends this Friday, February 24.

Zimmerman tracked with gps while out on bond

GPS tracking devices have been used for several years by law enforcement professionals. In the high-profile case of George Zimmerman, his whereabouts while out on bond are being continuously monitored by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, though he has gone into hiding.

December issue of gps tracker looks at budget cuts, lightsquared

The December issue of GPS Tracker is now out, with articles on budget cuts and LightSquared testing. The newsletter is published by the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT).

National pnt office newsletter provides updates on lightsquared, jammers

The November 2011 issue GPS Tracker, the newsletter from the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), provides updates on LightSquared, jammers, and concerns of commercial GPS users.

Javad ashjaee pens letter to fcc chair, responds to pnt board

Javad Ashjaee, CEO of JAVAD GNSS, has written a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski disputing the letter written by the PNT Executive Committee Advisory Board on August 21, and asserting that his company's newly developed filter technology will solve LightSquared interference problems with GPS.

March 9 is deadline for ion gnss abstract submissions

The last day to submit an abstract for ION GNSS 2012 is Friday, March 9. ION GNSS 2012 will take place September 17-21, 2012 (Tutorials: September 17-18) at the Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Pnt.gov site moves content to gps.gov

The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing website at pnt.gov has moved much of its GPS-related content to the more popular site gps.gov.

Nexteq navigation announces new flagship data collector

Nexteq Navigation, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has announced the T5A, its new flagship multifunctional GNSS handheld data collector. The device is a high-accuracy GPS unit capable of 2-centimeter accuracy using real-time kinematic (RTK) and 50-centimeters globally using Nexteq’s i-PPP technology.

F4devices announces flint rugged handheld

F4Devices, a subsidiary of F4 Tech and strategic partner with BAP Precisions, Taiwan, has introduced a new generation of high-precision GNSS devices for GIS field applications, the Flint rugged handheld. With the new Flint handheld, field workers requiring a rugged mobile handheld device have a unit that is lightweight, compact, rugged, and cost-effective, the company said. The Flint fits well into GIS field data collection markets such as municipalities, oil and gas and forestry, F4Devices said.

New free testing infrastructure for developers

The European GNSS Simulation and Testing Infrastructure (GSTI) links application developers and tool providers via a platform at www.gnss-test-portal.eu.

Rally organized to protest potential gps band interference by lightsquared

A rally in support of GPS on the LightSquared issue is being held September 22 at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle. The rally is intended to support GPS and express concerns over a controversial application by LightSquared being considered by the FCC that would cause substantial interference for GPS users, say organizers.

Supreme court rules warrant needed for gps tracking

GPS trackers are a form of search, and to use them police must have a search warrant, according to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling today. The high court issued a unanimous ruling that a search warrant is required before police slap a GPS tracker on a criminal suspect's vehicle to monitor the suspect's movements, reports the Associated Press.