L5 Support

According to http://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/modernization/civilsignals /">GPS.gov the first satellite capable of a full L5 signal broadcast was launched in May, 2010. It is a type IIF. I only see 4 of those in orbit. As of now, Galileo has six satellites in orbit with another seven launches that will complete the first phase of deployment, which will be complete by mid-decade. It appears that every day that goes by pushes the functional constellation date back by that much longer.

I read in a white paper that perhaps when the combined available constellation of the L5 capable GPS satellites and the Galileo constellation which has an L5-equivalent band approaches 24 satellites in orbit that a functional L5 constellation may be derived from the use of both sets of satellites.

Given the rate at which the US is launching satellites (not very often) and the economic woes of the European Union apparently slowing the progress of Galileo, it seems that it will be a while yet before L5 becomes a functional reality.

If you can get a receiver that is L5 ready, I would want to know what it takes to activate that capability. Do you have to purchase an option activation at that time? Will it just start tracking L5 when it is available?

The best thing that has happened in the GNSS world is the fact that the Russians have brought the GLONASS constellation for the brink if extinction where in the 2001 - 2002 it appeared that the remaining constellation was all going to fall out of orbit. But they found the resources to bring it back to full deployment, which they achieved in October 2011. The next best thing is that the GPS constellation is more uniformly distributed in their orbits, so that there are no times when the available constellation in view above 10° up from the horizon is less than seven satellites.

You are the man Jerry!

Hope you guys are doing well.

Newest GPS Was Turned On June 21

SVN 66/PRN 27 was made active 6/21. It is the fourth GPS 2F satellite and is capable of transmitting L2C and L5. The Air Force had been testing the L2C and L5 signals for about a week.

Another GPS 2F launch is scheduled for October and 2 more in 2014. With the 7 active GPS 2R-Ms and 5 GPS 2Fs there would be 12 L2C capable satellites but would it be enough to make a difference? With fewer L5 capable satellites the advantage will be that there will be WAAS satellites broadcasting L5. With 2 L5 WAAS in regular view the fewer L5 satellites would still be effective.

Soon though? Definitely not.

Paul in PA

Thanks for the input guys!

Have a great sunday to you and your family!