Just curious,
If the FCC refuses to stop the addition of towers transmitting adjacent to the gps L1 signal in metro areas that would interfere with gps signals, would it be possible for those same towers to also transmit signals that would benefit gps locations? a ground-based augmentation system?
James
Probably pretty pointless if they are blocking signals from actual GPS satellites wouldn't you think?
Well yes if that actually happens but I doubt it will. I doubt the FCC will let it happen. There is too much to lose if it does and there are too many players involved to let it happen. If they do figure out a way of making the two systems compatible side by side then the GPS industry should jump at the opportunity to make it better.
From InsideGNSS:
Worked out in cooperation with the U.S. GPS Industry Council (USGIC), the proposal calls for establishing a group comprised of two co-chairs, a technical working group (“TWG”), and advisors. The working group will be co-chaired by representatives of LightSquared and the USGIC — respectively, Jeffrey Carlisle, LightSquared’s executive vice-president of regulatory affairs and public policy, and Charles R. Trimble, USGIC chairman.
The problem with the LightSquared plan is that they would operate terrestrial transmitters on frequencies formerly reserved for satellite downlinks. These frequencies are very close to GPS frequencies. Most GPS receivers cannot separate the much stronger terrestrial signals from the weaker satellite signals when they are on nearly adjacent channels.
This problem always exists in any radio service. For instance, the FCC does not license FM broadcasters to use adjacent channels in the same coverage area. They should be smart enough to understand the GPS problem.
"They should be smart enough to understand the GPS problem."
Which is why we know that there is more going on than meets the eye...
So what are you proposing, that the LightSquared towers broadcast some sort of sbas signal? What signal could they broadcast that would help gps users? Also, take a look at your GPS antenna, what direction does that antenna point? Does it point vertically towards outer space or horizontally towards cell phone towers?
