no more GPS?

[Reel Screwd]

Hi i found some interesting info about a company called Lightsquared that wants to build a high-speed wireless broadband network using a radio frequency that is next to the frequency used for GPS transmissions.Just wondering if any of you have heard about this or are we really going to lose our use of gps? heres a link on this

http://androgeoid.com/2011/02/how-the-fcc-plans-to-destroy-gps-a-simple-explanation/

[danthebuilder]

FCC is requiring further testing to make sure that lightsquare doesn't kill GPS.

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/fcc-requiring-additional-testing-lightsquared-network-134850

[picman]

This is the first and only article that I have seen where the FCC is back tracking. This was a done deal a couple months ago. The FCC even limited the comment period to approximately one week.

In the past few weeks an Air Force general who testified about the effects of this system on GPS has said he was pressured to downplay the impact to the military in particular and aviation industry in general.

I saw another acticle-hope I can find it-where Garmin (?) did some testing. If this company used their original frequency and signal strength, most all current GPS units would be rendered useless.

In a nut shell, bleed over could occur as near as 8-10 miles from Lightsquared towers with complete GPS signal loss about 1-2 miles from a tower.

I don't understand why the military did not object in very strong tones at the onset. Well, I "know" why but do not want to get into the political aspects.

[ekbelt]

I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that the Military uses different satellites or methods for their GPS purposes so this may or may not effect their equipment.

They originally made civilian use caculate with error so it wasn't quite as exact. Then WAAS was released to the civilians, which is what the military was using before. WAAS gives a much more accurate location than the traditional method.

The department of defense still runs all these satellites (including civilian), you'd think they would be all over this to make sure it keeps working.

[picman]

It's not the satellites that are used, it's the FREQUENCIES and power used. Currently, GPS signals are relatively weak-about 10% of peak power allowed. Lightsquared wants to use about 40-50% peak power.

Their frequency bands are right next to the GPS bands.

Think of it like this: you are listening to a radio station at 100.1 on the FM dial that puts out 75,000 watts of power and you are about 50 miles away. There is another station at 100.3 putting out 150,000 watts and is only 10 miles away. You are probably going to get bleed over onto the station you are listening to. Especially, the closer you get to the higher power station.

That is what might happen with GPS and this broadband internet signal. Lightsquared will need to have far more power to transmit as they do not wish to erect 1000's of additional towers to repeat the signal.

I know this is all in the OP link but I think the real problem is that certain groups-the US Air Force in particular-are being muzzled by the current administration. Literally every public statement given by one of the armed forces is vetted for political correctness-based on the views of the current occupant of the white house. And by current, I mean whoever happens to be there at the times the comments are released.

Every single GPS user will be affected at some point or another. GPS is established technology for 20 years but the government doesn't care. They want the money generated from selling these unused frequencies.