Future of GPS

Usage

Many issues surround the future of Global Positioning System technology and operability. The most certain aspect of the future of GPS is its increased usage and its expansion into new areas of application. Bradford Parkinson, from the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, predicts that by 2010 there will be more than 50 million GPS users that perform applications relating to the following fields:

- automobiles
- ships
- farm vehicles
- aircraft
- military systems

Technology

Additional advances in GPS technology will also include increased positional accuracy and more reliable calculations. The addition of civilian codes and civilian frequencies will be developed to solely meet the needs of civilian users with little to no military application. (Marine Computer Systems)

GPS Satellite System Interoperability

With the advent of the European GALILEO system, GPS developers and users have increasingly pondered the benefits of interoperating the NAVSTAR and GALILEO systems. The possible benefits include:

- more available signals that will allow GPS users to access more satellites from remote areas
- additional signal power and spectrum diversity will lessen the impact of expected signal noise and interference
- improved signal redundancy

Some potential drawbacks, costs and challenges that will be incurred with interoperability include:

- increased equipment cost to the user to be able to access both systems
- additional noise and interference environment
- setting satellite orbits to ensure that interoperability actually benefits the user

See GPS World for more information.

GNSS

Many experts expect a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to be developed that capitalizes on the compatibility of technology from the NAVSTAR GPS system and the GALILEO GPS system. This comprehensive support system would provide users with navigation information that covers a broader area with higher accuracy data. GPS users across the world will benefit from the access to more satellites due to the availability of two or more satellite constellations.
(European Union Directorate-General Energy and Transport)