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Study Guide: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): Principles and Applications

Cheat Sheet:
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): Principles and Applications Study Guide

Introduction to Satellite Navigation

The principal objective of satellite navigation systems is to enable users to ascertain their precise geographical position on the Earth's surface.

Answer: True

Explanation: The primary purpose of satellite navigation is indeed to allow users to determine their location on Earth.

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A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for users across the entire globe, not limited to a single continent.

Answer: False

Explanation: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are engineered for worldwide coverage, not restricted to a single continent.

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Satellite navigation devices operate autonomously and do not require a cellular or internet connection for their fundamental positioning, navigation, and timing functions.

Answer: True

Explanation: The core functionality of satellite navigation relies on signals from satellites, independent of terrestrial communication networks.

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Satellite navigation system operators possess the capability to degrade or deny services over specific geographical regions.

Answer: True

Explanation: Control over a GNSS constellation includes the ability to selectively restrict or disable service provision.

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What is the principal objective of satellite navigation, commonly designated as satnav?

Answer: To enable users to determine their location on Earth.

Explanation: The fundamental purpose of satellite navigation is to provide users with their precise geographical position.

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Which of the following services is NOT typically provided to users by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)?

Answer: Real-time weather prediction.

Explanation: GNSS primarily provides positioning, navigation, and timing services; weather forecasting is outside their scope.

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By what primary mechanism do satellite navigation devices determine a user's precise geographical location?

Answer: By receiving time signals transmitted by satellites and calculating distances.

Explanation: The core principle involves measuring the time-of-flight of signals from multiple satellites to calculate distances, enabling trilateration.

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What is the meaning of the acronym PNT within the domain of satellite navigation?

Answer: Positioning, Navigation, and Timing

Explanation: PNT represents the three fundamental services provided by satellite navigation systems.

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Which statement accurately characterizes the dependency, or lack thereof, of satellite navigation systems on cellular or internet reception for their core functionality?

Answer: They operate independently but can use cellular/internet data to enhance usefulness.

Explanation: Satellite navigation systems are designed to function autonomously, without requiring external communication links for basic operation.

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Regional and Augmentation Systems

Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) are engineered to enhance, rather than decrease, the reliability and accuracy of existing global GNSS services.

Answer: True

Explanation: SBAS are designed to improve the performance and integrity of GNSS signals, making them more reliable for users.

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The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), designated as NavIC, is a regional system intended to provide positioning services primarily over the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas, not global coverage.

Answer: True

Explanation: NavIC is specifically designed as a regional system focused on providing coverage for India and its immediate vicinity.

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The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a regional system developed by Japan, primarily serving the Asia-Oceania regions, not the African continent.

Answer: True

Explanation: QZSS is designed for enhanced GPS coverage in Japan and surrounding areas.

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EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), not a stand-alone Regional Navigation Satellite System (RNSS).

Answer: True

Explanation: EGNOS functions as an augmentation system for GPS and Galileo, rather than an independent navigation system.

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The NavIC system utilizes satellites in geostationary (GEO) and geosynchronous (GSO) orbits, which differs from the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) configuration typically used by GPS.

Answer: True

Explanation: NavIC's use of GEO/GSO orbits is a key characteristic distinguishing it from MEO-based global systems like GPS.

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What is the primary function of a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)?

Answer: To enhance the accuracy and reliability of existing global GNSS systems.

Explanation: SBAS systems provide corrections and integrity information to improve the performance of global GNSS.

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Which system is cited as an example of a stand-alone Regional Navigation Satellite System (RNSS)?

Answer: NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)

Explanation: NavIC is presented as an example of a regional system that operates independently.

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What is the approximate positional accuracy provided by the public service of India's NavIC system?

Answer: Better than 7.6 meters

Explanation: NavIC's public service aims for an accuracy of better than 7.6 meters within its service area.

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Which regional satellite system, developed by Japan, functions as a time transfer system and an enhancement for GPS?

Answer: QZSS

Explanation: QZSS is Japan's regional system designed to augment GPS signals and provide precise timing.

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What is the principal function of EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)?

Answer: To supplement GPS and Galileo by reporting reliability and providing corrections.

Explanation: EGNOS enhances GPS and Galileo by providing integrity information and corrections.

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Which of the following GNSS systems incorporates geostationary or geosynchronous orbits for a portion of its satellite constellation?

Answer: NavIC

Explanation: NavIC utilizes GEO/GSO satellites, while GPS and Galileo primarily use MEO satellites. BeiDou also uses IGSO satellites.

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Core Principles and Technologies

Satellites constituting global GNSS constellations typically orbit at altitudes of approximately 20,000 kilometers (about 12,500 miles), placing them in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).

Answer: True

Explanation: This altitude range is characteristic of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), which is standard for most global GNSS constellations.

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Radio-wave refraction through the Earth's atmosphere is a significant factor that can introduce errors into the calculation of satellite positions and signal travel times.

Answer: True

Explanation: Atmospheric effects, particularly ionospheric and tropospheric refraction, are primary sources of error in GNSS positioning.

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Modern GNSS satellites transmit signals that include precise orbital data (ephemeris) and the exact time of signal transmission, which are critical for receiver calculations.

Answer: True

Explanation: This transmitted data allows receivers to determine the satellite's position in space and the signal's travel time, fundamental for trilateration.

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Atomic clocks are employed in GNSS satellites to maintain extremely precise time synchronization across the constellation, which is fundamental for accurate distance measurements and positioning.

Answer: True

Explanation: The high precision of atomic clocks is essential for the timing accuracy required in GNSS operations.

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The fundamental mathematical technique used in GNSS positioning is trilateration, which calculates position based on distances to satellites.

Answer: True

Explanation: Trilateration, using distance measurements to multiple known points (satellites), is the core geometric principle.

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Einstein's theory of general relativity has a significant and measurable impact on the timing accuracy of GPS systems, necessitating relativistic corrections for precise positioning.

Answer: True

Explanation: Relativistic effects, predicted by Einstein's theories, must be accounted for to maintain the accuracy of GNSS timing and positioning.

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GNSS receivers utilize signals from multiple satellites, not just one, in conjunction with sophisticated algorithms to mitigate positioning errors and achieve accurate fixes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The use of signals from at least four satellites is typically required for a 3D position fix and error mitigation.

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The ionosphere's effect on satellite navigation signals is primarily to slow them down, introducing delays that must be accounted for in positioning calculations.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ionospheric delay is a significant error source that requires modeling and correction for accurate GNSS positioning.

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What is the characteristic orbital altitude for satellites deployed in global GNSS constellations?

Answer: Approximately 20,000 kilometers (Medium Earth Orbit)

Explanation: Global GNSS constellations typically operate in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at altitudes around 20,000 km.

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What is the foundational mathematical technique employed for position calculations within most GNSS?

Answer: Trilateration

Explanation: Trilateration is the geometric method used to determine a position based on distances to known points.

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What is the impact of Einstein's theory of general relativity on the precise timekeeping mechanisms of GPS systems?

Answer: It causes GPS satellite clocks to run faster than ground clocks by about 38 microseconds/day.

Explanation: Gravitational time dilation, as described by general relativity, causes satellite clocks to run faster, necessitating corrections.

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What is the approximate orbital period of satellites comprising the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS)?

Answer: Approximately 12 hours

Explanation: GPS satellites have an orbital period of nearly 12 hours, specifically about 11 hours and 58 minutes.

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What is the specific purpose of Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) in GNSS receivers?

Answer: To check the integrity of the satellite signals received by the receiver.

Explanation: RAIM allows receivers to autonomously detect potential errors in satellite signals, ensuring the integrity of the position solution.

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What is the primary modulation technique employed in the Galileo Open Service signal?

Answer: CBOC (Composite Binary Offset Carrier)

Explanation: CBOC is the specific modulation scheme used for the Galileo Open Service signal.

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Historical Context and Evolution

GNSS-1 systems are characterized by their reliance on augmenting existing satellite navigation services, whereas GNSS-2 systems are designed to independently provide a full civilian satellite navigation service.

Answer: True

Explanation: This distinction defines the generational evolution of GNSS, moving from augmentation-based systems to fully independent services.

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The earliest satellite navigation system, Transit, determined position based on the Doppler effect, not the principle of trilateration.

Answer: True

Explanation: Transit utilized the Doppler shift of radio signals, a different principle than the trilateration used in later GNSS.

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The initial development of satellite navigation systems was primarily driven by military requirements, such as precision weapon delivery and troop location, rather than weather forecasting.

Answer: True

Explanation: Early satellite navigation systems were conceived and developed primarily to meet strategic military objectives.

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What are the distinguishing features between GNSS-2 generation systems and their GNSS-1 predecessors?

Answer: GNSS-2 systems independently provide a full civilian navigation service, unlike GNSS-1 which combines existing systems with augmentation.

Explanation: GNSS-2 represents a leap towards fully independent civilian services, whereas GNSS-1 often involved augmenting existing military or combined systems.

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Which satellite navigation system holds the distinction of being the first deployed by the United States military?

Answer: Transit

Explanation: The Transit system, operational in the 1960s, was the precursor to modern satellite navigation and the first such system deployed by the U.S. military.

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On which fundamental physical principle did the Transit satellite navigation system base its position determination?

Answer: Doppler effect

Explanation: Transit utilized the Doppler shift of radio signals emitted by the satellite to calculate the receiver's position.

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What was the principal impetus driving the initial development of satellite navigation systems?

Answer: Military applications like weapon delivery and troop location

Explanation: The initial development was heavily influenced by military needs for precise targeting and troop deployment.

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