Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-8zxtt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-08T11:50:36.284Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

e-Navigation and the Case for eLoran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 June 2008

Paul Williams ,
Sally Basker  and
Nick Ward
Paul Williams*
Affiliation:
(General Lighthouse AuthoritiesUnited Kingdom and Ireland)
Sally Basker
Affiliation:
(General Lighthouse AuthoritiesUnited Kingdom and Ireland)
Nick Ward
Affiliation:
(General Lighthouse AuthoritiesUnited Kingdom and Ireland)
*
(Email: Paul.Williams@thls.org)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

International discussions on the concept of e-navigation have identified a robust position-fixing system as one of the essential components. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are known to have vulnerabilities and onboard alternatives such as inertial systems have limitations. This paper considers the case for an enhanced version of the terrestrial radio-navigation system Loran to provide an alternative with performance comparable to GNSS. The paper reviews recent studies of inertial navigation systems and concludes that they do not present a fully capable backup to GNSS at present. Trials of enhanced Loran carried out in the UK by the General Lighthouse Authorities have shown that eLoran does have the potential to provide equivalent performance to GNSS over long periods and is a fully complementary system. The steps needed to provide eLoran on at least a regional basis, covering critical waterways, are considered. The international process for the specification and standardisation of eLoran is already underway and some projections are made about the timescale for full implementation, in the context of the introduction of e-Navigation. A version of this paper was first presented at NAV 07 held in Church House, London from 30th October – 1st November 2007.

Keywords

eLorane-NavigationGNSSINS
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , July 2008 , pp. 473 - 484
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1]Nicholson, M., ‘e-Navigation – The Role of Visual Aids to Navigation’, NAV07 Conference, Royal Institute of Navigation, Church House, Westminster, London, 30 October – 1 November 2007.Google Scholar
[2]The General Lighthouse Authorities Research and Radionavigation Directorate, ‘The Case for eLoran’, 8 May 2006.Google Scholar
[3]Hill, C.J., Hide, C.D., and Norris, A.P., ‘Evaluation of Integrated GNSS and INS for Marine Navigation Final Report’, Prepared for The GLAs, Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, University of Nottingham, 18 June 2007Google Scholar
[4]Narins, M. (Programme Manager), ‘Loran's Capability to Mitigate the Impact of a GPS Outage on GPS Position, Navigation, and Time Applications’, Prepared for the Federal Aviation Administration Vice President for Technical Operations Navigation Services Directorate, FAA, March 2004.Google Scholar
[5]‘Loran Data Channel Communications using 9th Pulse Modulation’, www.navcen.uscg.gov.Google Scholar
[6]Peterson, B., ‘10th Pulse Modulation’, 2007 Convention and Technical Symposium – ILA36, International Loran Association, Orlando, Florida, 15–17 October 2007.Google Scholar
[7]‘Technical Characteristics of Methods of Data Transmission and Interference Protection for Radionavigation Services in the Frequency Bands Between 70 and 130kHz’, Recommendation 589–2, International Telecommunications UnionGoogle Scholar
[8]Offermans, G., ‘The Technical Implementation of Eurofix’, Reelektronika BV, Document number: Reel-ID-2007-01, Issue 1.1, 9 February 2007Google Scholar
[9]Pelgrum, W.J., ‘New Potential of Low-Frequency Radionavigation in the 21st Century’, Chapter 6, PhD Thesis, 2006Google Scholar
[10]Offermans, G. and Pelgrum, W., ‘Data Gathering in Support of the GLA's European eLoran Performance Evaluation Phase 1&2 – Final report’, Document Number REEL-TH-R03, Issue 1.1, Prepared for The GLAs by Reelektronika BV, 24 May 2006Google Scholar
[11]Johnson, G.W., Dykstra, K., Oates, C., Swaszek, P.F., and Hartnett, R., ‘Navigating Harbors at High Accuracy Without GPS: eLoran Proof-of-Concept in the Thames River’, ION National Technical Meeting 2007, Session E3, Paper 5, 2007Google Scholar