Civil Marine Applications of the Global Positioning System

Abstract

When considering what to write about civil marine applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the first thought was to review all of the diverse marine navigation requirements and show to what extent GPS could be used for each. The problem with this concept is that GPS will be nearly a universal navigation aid. Except for applications requiring underwater operation or sub-meter measurement precision, GPS will be able to do practically everything else! Therefore, a different approach has been taken. First, GPS is defined for the marine operator. The intent is to show its inherent capabilities, partly by contract with some of today's navigation systems. Following this is an attempt to express the natural desire of marine users for the system to be implemented and operated in a way to serve them best. It is suggested that civil users should be represented by a civil government agency during system development and as a point of contact for liasion after GPS becomes operational. The need for civil access to the best possible accuracy performance also is stressed. Factors affecting the price of GPS civil user equipment are considered, followed by a discusion of whether proposed signal structure changes intended to reduce the cost of civil equipment should be considered at this time. Overall, the paper celebrates the potential offered by GPS and urges that the system evolve so as to maximize benefits to a wide variety of civil users.