[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6813]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD 94-006]

 

Announcement of Global Positioning System (GPS) Initial 
Operational Capability (IOC) and Its Impact on Vessel Carriage 
Requirement Regulations

agency: Coast Guard, DOT.

action: Notice.

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Summary: The Department of Defense has notified the Department of 
Transportation that the Global Positioning System (GPS) has reached its 
Initial Operational Capability (IOC). A GPS receiver now meets the 
carriage requirements for electronic position fixing devices under 33 
CFR 164.41 (a)(2).

dates: Effective December 8, 1993, the Coast Guard will accept a GPS 
receiver as an electronic position fixing device satisfying the 
requirements of 33 CFR 164.41.

addresses: If so indicated, documents referenced in this preamble are 
available for inspection or copying at the office of the Executive 
Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-LRA/3406), U.S. Coast Guard 
Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001 between 
8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is (202) 267-1477.

for further information contact: LCDR Jean Butler, Chief, Radio Aids 
Applications and Developments Branch, Radionavigation Division, Office 
of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services, USCG Headquarters, 
Washington, DC 20593-0001, telephone 202-267-0298. A copy of this 
notice may be obtained by calling the Coast Guard's toll-free Boating 
Safety Hotline, 1-800-368-5647. In Washington, DC, call 267-0780.

Background

    The Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP), jointly prepared by the 
Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Transportation (DOT) on a 
biennial basis, contains further information concerning navigation, 
radionavigation system descriptions, and plans for government operated 
radionavigation systems. It is available to the public through the 
National Technical Information Service (NTIS).
    GPS is a DOD-developed, worldwide, satellite-based radionavigation 
system that will be the primary radionavigation system well into the 
next century. When fully operational, the GPS will be composed of 24 
satellites in six orbital planes. The spacing of the satellites in 
orbit will be arranged so that a minimum of five satellites will be in 
view to users worldwide. Full Operational Capability will be achieved 
when 24 operational, production model satellites (Block II or newer) 
are operating in their assigned orbits and when the constellation has 
successfully completed testing for operational military functionality. 
This is not expected to occur until 1995. GPS Initial Operational 
Capability (IOC) has been met and means that 24 GPS satellites (any 
model) are operating in their assigned orbits, are available for 
navigation, and provide the SPS levels of service as defined in the 
FRP. Any planned disruption of the GPS in peacetime will be subject to 
a minimum 48-hour advance notice provided by the DOD to the Coast Guard 
GPS Information Center (GPSIC). A disruption is defined as periods in 
which the GPS is not capable of providing Standard Positioning Service 
as defined in the FRP. Unplanned system outages resulting from system 
malfunctions or unscheduled maintenance will be announced by the GPSIC 
as they become known.
    GPS provides two levels of service: Standard Positioning Service 
(SPS) and Precise Positioning Service (PPS). SPS is the standard level 
of positioning, velocity, and timing accuracy that is available to any 
user on a continuous worldwide basis. The horizontal positioning 
accuracy of this service is 100 meters (2 distance root mean squared 
(drms), 95% probability) and 300 meters with 99.99% probability. PPS 
will be limited to authorized U.S. and allied Federal government and 
military users and to those civil users who can satisfy U.S. 
requirements. These requirements are: the use must be in the U.S. 
national interest; the user must meet specific GPS security 
requirements; and a reasonable alternative to the use of PPS must not 
be available. Unauthorized users will be denied access to PPS through 
encryption of the signals. PPS military user equipment will provide 
horizontal positioning accuracy of 21 meters (2 drms). The SPS is 
affected by a process called Selective Availability (SA), which 
degrades the basic accuracy of the SPS through adjustment and 
encryption of some of the signals and data.
    One of the shortcomings of GPS for civil navigation use is its 
problem meeting integrity requirements. Integrity is the ability of a 
system to provide timely warnings to users when the system should not 
be railed upon for navigation. According to DOD's concept of operation, 
GPS satellites are monitored more than 95 percent of the time by a 
network of five monitoring stations spread around the world. The 
information collected by the monitoring stations is processed by the 
GPS Master Control Station (MCS) and used to periodically update the 
navigation message, including the satellite health message, transmitted 
by each satellite. The health message is transmitted as part of the GPS 
navigation message for reception by both PPS and SPS users. 
Additionally, satellite operating parameters such as navigation data 
errors, signal availability failures, and certain types of satellite 
clock failures are monitored internally within the satellite. If such 
internal failures are detected, users are notified within six seconds. 
Other failures detectable only by the control segment may take from 15 
minutes to several hours before users are notified of a problem. This 
is unsatisfactory for many modes and phases of navigation, and, from 
the maritime perspective, it is particularly deficient for the harbor 
and harbor approach (HHS) phase of navigation. The integrity required 
for HHA navigation will be provided through augmentation of the GPS SPS 
by the Coast Guard's Differential GPS (DGPS) service, now being 
implemented.
    As with Loran-C and Transit (the Navy Navigation Satellite System), 
the GPS should not be used by itself in or near restricted waters. As 
described above, the accuracy of the system is not monitored 
continuously and it may take 2-6 hours to be aware of a problem or fix 
a problem with a satellite. Additionally, mariners need to be aware of 
the real accuracy of the system. GPS receivers may produce a latitude 
and longitude position that appears accurate to several decimal places, 
which may mislead a mariner to believe the system is really that 
accurate. GPS SPS will only give an accuracy to within 100 meters, with 
95% probability. That means that the mariner can be anywhere within a 
100 meter radius of the position indicated by the receiver. It also 
means that 5% of the time, the actual position could be greater than 
100 meters from the indicated location. Mariners must constantly be 
aware of this and navigate with due caution, using all means available, 
most importantly in more restricted locations such as harbor and harbor 
approach areas.
    The FRP outlines navigation accuracies required for the different 
phases of navigation. While the Ocean and Coastal phases have been 
satisfied for some time, the harbor and harbor-approach phase 
requirements have been unattainable with existing systems. 
Additionally, a similar need for higher accuracy exists for other Coast 
Guard missions such as positioning aids to navigation and Vessel 
Traffic Services. DGPS is a solution to all of these needs.
    DGPS improves upon GPS signals by using a local reference receiver 
to correct errors in the standard GPS signals. An ``all in view'' GPS 
receiver is located at a site which has been geodetically surveyed. The 
receiver monitors all visible satellites and measures the pseudorange 
to each satellite. Since the satellite signal contains information on 
the precise satellite orbits and the reference receiver knows its 
position, the true range to each satellite can be calculated. By 
comparing the calculated true range and the measured pseudorange, a 
correction term can be determined for each satellite. These corrections 
are then broadcast to the user over the communications network, and can 
be received by the user with a DGPS receiver. The Coast Guard will be 
using selected marine radiobeacons to transmit the corrections to 
users. The corrections are then applied to the pseudorange measurements 
within the user's receiver, achieving a position accurate within 10 
meters, with 95% probability. One advantage of DGPS is that it will 
provide radionavigation accuracy that is not possible with existing 
systems. It will also reduce the integrity check of satellites from 
hours to seconds, and will even allow for use of satellites considered 
unhealthy. By knowing its position, the reference station can detect 
immediately when a satellite may be sending erroneous data. DGPS 
accuracies cannot be achieved with either the GPS Standard Positioning 
Service, with Selective Availability on or off, or Precise Positioning 
Service. The Coast Guard will also implement an integrity monitoring 
system which will verify the accuracy of the corrections that it 
transmits on the selected radiobeacon. The Coast Guard's DGPS Service 
will be implemented for harbor and harbor approach areas of the 
continential U.S., Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and most of Hawaii and 
Alaska by 1996.

Information Availability

    Operational status and other information about GPS is available to 
worldwide users of GPS through the Coast Guard's GPS Information Center 
(GPSIC). The GPSIC sends GPS operational status information to civil 
users through Operational Advisory Broadcasts (OAB). These broadcasts 
contain the following general categories of GPS performance data: 
Current constellation status, Recent (past) outages, Scheduled (future) 
outages, and Almanac data. The OAB is disseminated or made available 
through the following media:

GPSIC Computer Bulletin Board System (BBS)
GPSIC 24-Hour Status Recording
WWV/WWVH worldwide high-frequency radio broadcasts
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Information Broadcasts (MIB)
DMAHTC Broadcast Warnings
DMAHTC Weekly Notice to Mariners
DMA Navigation Information Network (NAVINFONET)
NAVTEX Data Broadcast

    Through a duty watchstander and an electronic bulletin board 
service (BBS), both available 24 hours per day, GPSIC also makes the 
following information available:

--Operational status of GPS as provided by DOD
--Precise GPS orbit data from the National Geodetic Survey
--Technical information on GPS
--Operational status and information on other Coast Guard operated 
radionavigation systems
--Instructions on the access and use of GPSIC services

    The U.S. Air Force Second Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), which 
operates the GPS Master Control Station (MCS) in Colorado Springs, CO, 
provides the following GPS information for the GPSIC:
    Notice Advisories to NAVSTAR Users (NANU) are near real-time 
operational status capability reports. NANUs are issued to notify users 
of future, current, or past satellite outages, system adjustments, or 
any condition which might adversely affect users. NANUs are generated 
by 2SOPs as events occur. GPS Status Messages contain general 
information that is downloaded daily from the Air Force's (2SOPS) 
electronic bulletin board. The message contains information about the 
satellite orbit (plane/slot), clocks, and current or recent NANUs. 
Status Messages are generated by 2SOPS once a day Monday through 
Friday, except on Federal holidays.
    Almanacs contain the orbital information and clock data of all the 
satellites. The almanac for all satellites can be obtained from 
downloading the continuously transmitted data stream from any 
satellite.
    In addition to receiving information from the MCS, the GPSIC works 
with representatives of the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) to offer NGS 
computed precise GPS orbit data to the public via the GPSIC bulletin 
board. This data is called precise ephemeris data. Precise ephemeris 
data describes the orbit of each satellite as observed by numerous 
ground stations. It is useful in making a refined determination of 
where the satellites were at some time in the past. The time lag for 
this information is about eight days.
    The BBS is an electronic version of a bulletin board, where 
information is made available in easy to access lists and files. Any 
user with a computer and modem can dial the BBS and browse through the 
information or copy files into their own computer for further use. The 
BBS is menu-driven and has an extensive set of on-line help utilities. 
If necessary, users can also page the GPSIC watchstander to request 
personal assistance. The BBS is free and open to all. However, users 
will have to pay their own connection charges (long distance telephone 
or public data network costs). First-time callers are asked to register 
on-line (provide their names, addresses, etc.) before proceeding to the 
BBS main menu. Through the BBS, a wide range of information is 
available 24 hours a day. BBS information is updated whenever the other 
GPSIC sources are. Users may call the BBS via either telephone or 
SprintNet (a public data network). Ordinary telephone is the easiest 
for most people, but SprintNet offers a high speed error-free 
alternative for those (especially international callers) who may have 
difficulty in getting a good data connection over the voice phone 
lines. To contact the BBS, call: (tel) 703-313-5910. Modem speeds of 
300 to 14,400 bps and most common U.S. or international protocols are 
supported. Communications parameters should be set to: 8 data bits, No 
parity, 1 stop bit (8N1), asynchronous comms, full duplex. We have 
eight phone lines at this number and two auxiliary numbers to 
accommodate modems which may be incompatible with the ones on 313-5910. 
The BBS SprintNet number is: 31102021323 (or abbreviate to 202 1328 if 
accessing SprintNet via telephone to one of their modems.) For 
SprintNet access, users must set up their own accounts with Sprint or a 
similar public data network which has a ``gateway'' to SprintNet. For 
more information, call: (800) 736-1130 (U.S.) or (913) 541-6876) 
(international).
    Users who need further information or assistance may call the GPSIC 
watchstander at 703-313-5900, or write to Commanding Officer, USCG 
Omega Navigation System Center, 7323 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA 
22310-3998.
    In addition to the GPSIC watchstander and BBS already described, 
users can access the GPS OAB information from the services described 
below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Service          Availability        Info type     Contact No./Freq
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GPS/Omega voice    24 hours a day...  Status forecasts  (703) 313-5905. 
 tape recording.                       historic.                        
WWV..............  Minutes; 14 & 15.  Status forecasts  2.5, 5, 10, 15  
                                                         and 20 MHz.    
WWVH.............  Minutes; 43 & 44.  Status forecasts  2.5, 5, 10 and  
                                                         15 MHz.        
USCG MIB.........  When broadcast...  Status forecasts  VHF-FM, med freq
                                                         & high freq.   
DMA broadcast      When broadcast...  Status forecast   ................
 warnings.                             outages.                         
DMA weekly notice  Published &        Status forecast   (301) 227-3126. 
 to mariners.       mailed weekly.     outages.                         
DMA Navinfonet     24 hours a day...  Status forecasts  (301) 227-3351  
 automated notice                      historic          300 baud, (301)
 to mariners                           almanacs.         227-5925 1200  
 system.                                                 baud, (301) 227
                                                         4360 2400 baud.
                                      For more info     (301 227-3296.  
                                       call.                            
Navtex data        When broadcast; 4- Status forecast   518 KHz.        
 broadcast.         6 time/day.        outages.                         
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(Authority 33 USC 1231, 46 USC 2103, 3703, 49 CFR 1.46)

    Dated: March 15, 1994.
R.C. Houle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-6813 Filed 3-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M