Module overview
This module will be first offered in the 2020/21 academic year.
The intention of this module is to provide the students with a sound grasp and understanding of the fundamentals of GPS systems including the three main segments of a complete system: space, ground and user. Other topics covered will be the navigation equations, GPS performance and error effects, and GPS navigation applications such as land, sea and air vehicle navigation and tracking, aircraft automatic approach and landing using GPS, precision landing of aircraft using integrity beacons, spacecraft attitude control using GPS carrier phase, precise time and time interval measurement, surveying with the global positioning system, geodesy and orbit determination.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Have an appreciation of the properties of a range of different feasible GPS architectures.
- Understand the key factors determining the design of GPS systems used in aerospace applications.
- Describe different methods of detecting and dealing with the failure of components and (sub) systems.
- Have an appreciation of the issues concerned with GPS performance and error effects.
- Understand and identify the key components and signals of GPS systems and how they interact with one another.
- Apply the GPS mathematical models and set up and solve problems involving GPS observables.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- GPS systems and techniques in use at present so that students can gain a clear understanding of the principles involved, the methods of implementation and how the systems relate to the operation of GPS systems. Future requirements will be discussed to indicate the development required of current and future GPS systems.
- How component parts, subsystems and systems are integrated into complete systems and the communications and interrelationships between the various system elements. Additionally, critical constraints on these systems, how the aerospace systems operates in relation to them and the requirement of future generation systems will also be addressed.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Solve problems.
- Study and learn independently.
Syllabus
Fundamentals (6 lectures)
Coordinate and time systems
Satellite orbital motions
GPS observables
Estimation procedures
Propagation medium
Mathematical model of GPS observables
System (6 lectures)
Space segment
Ground segment
User segment
Navigation Equations(6 lectures)
The mathematical problem
Geometric interpretation
Solution methodologies
GPS performance and error effects (10 lectures)
GPS error analysis
Ionospheric effects on GPS Tropospheric effects on GPS
Multipath effects
Foliage attenuation for land mobile users
Ephemeris and clock navigation message accuracy
Selective availability
Introduction to relativistic effects on the global positioning system
Interference effects and mitigation techniques differential GPS
GPS navigation applications (6 lectures)
Land vehicle navigation and tracking
Marine applications
Applications of the GPS to air traffic control
GPS applications in general aviation
Aircraft automatic approach and landing using GPS
Precision landing of aircraft using integrity beacons Spacecraft attitude control using
GPS carrier phase
GPS for precise time and time interval measurement
Surveying with the global positioning system
Geodesy
Orbit determination
Revision lectures (2 lectures)
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
36 lectures, including slide and video presentations, and example classes
Industry speakers (?)
Learning activities include:
Directed reading
Individual work to understand and master the course content, with the objective of successfully solving problems
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Follow-up work | 18 |
Wider reading or practice | 66 |
Lecture | 36 |
Completion of assessment task | 2 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
Revision | 10 |
Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
In-class quiz will be provided to students as a formative feedback.
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Examination QuizSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External