Update on Ground based Regional Augmentation System (GRAS)

Keith McPherson, Manager GNSS

GRAS Definition
A system providing GNSS augmentation service by which the user receives information directly from ground-based transmitters, allowing continuous reception of the service over a large geographical are(200Nm+). The ground components may be interconnected in a network

Rationale behind GRAS

Availability of (D)GNSS is paramount for Air Traffic Management(ATM) development Impact on both Navigation, Surveillance and Communications Availability must be from gate-to-gate

Minimum of new systems for CNS cost efficiency

Value added service to CNS/ATM improved business cases

Available for all user groups at reasonable costs

High latitudes National and/or Regional sovereign control of the service delivery is vital

Aircraft GNSS integrity feed

GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO

GNSS Receiver

Navigation datalink

Communications datalink

GRAS
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ADS-B Service

Alternative Augmentation
Ground based Regional Augmentation System
Key Benefits
Enroute navigation over entire continent
Non-Precision Approaches, Approaches with vertical guidance

No single point of failure for whole system

Relatively inexpensive compared to US and European augmentation systems
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Expected potential to further reduce current navigation aids

GRAS usage
En-route APV I/II CAT I

A-SMGCS/ Surface movement ADS-B Surveillance

GRAS Concept
GPS Constellation
L L L
VHF

GRS

Satcom or Terrestrial Links

GMS

Satcom or Terrestrial Links

GVS

Users

GRAS Ref. Stn

collects GPS meas. & data formats/sends data to GMS

GRAS Master Station

processes GRS data determines GPS corrections & integrity status generates SBAS messages

GRAS VHF Stn

Receives & verifies SBAS messages converts to GBAS ..format broadcasts GRAS messages at VHF

User Equip.
receives GPS & GRAS data computes SARPs-based nav solution

Technical concept
Automatic Ground Station selection
VHF Data Links

GBAS Format GRAS

Data Link
Large Airport Small Airport

Terrestrial Data Link

GRAS Schematic
(Operational Concept)
Not to Scale

VHF Transmitters
Using current VHF voice transmission sites Connected by data-line to Master Control Station

Master Control Stations

Brisbane & Melbourne Broome Carnavon Perth Darwin Alice Springs Ceduna Thursday I Mackay Canberra Hobart

Ground Reference Stations

Data Lines

VHF Sites Across Australia

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GRAS Architecture

GRAS Broadcast

Interface to other systems, e.g. other GRAS stations or SBAS/EGNOS (external GRAS)

Ground network

Remote service monitoring etc.

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GRAS LATERAL ERROR POINT COOK APPROACH RWY 35 RUN 35

30

20

10

METRES

LATERAL ERROR

10

7.3

2.3

1.6

9.69

9.37

9.03

8.68

8.34

7.65

6.95

6.59

6.24

5.89

5.54

5.18

4.82

4.46

4.09

3.72

3.36

2.65

1.94

1.26

0.93

0.6

-10

-20

-30 NM TO THRESHOLD

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0.28

CAT 1 NSE LIMIT

GRAS VERTICAL ERROR POINT COOK APPROACH RWY 35 RUN 35

20

15

10

METRES

VERTICAL ERROR

10

7.3

2.3

1.6

9.69

9.37

9.03

8.68

8.34

7.65

6.95

6.59

6.24

5.89

5.54

5.18

4.82

4.46

4.09

3.72

3.36

2.65

1.94

1.26

0.93

0.6

-5

-10

-15

-20 NM TO THRESHOLD

13

0.28

CAT 1 NSE LIMIT

VHF Cross-over Tests

Ne w Sou h tW a l es Sydne y A l bu r y C oo ma M el bou r ne

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Tam s a ni a H obart

VHF Cross-over Interference (None so far)

Slots A & H Equal Power Level

Slots A & B Equal Power Level

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Slots A & B Closer to Cooma

20 August 2001
10014074 0 10015074 10016074 10017074 10018074 10019074 10020074 10021074 10022074 10023074 10024074 10025074

-10

-20

-30

-40

dBm

-50

Melbourne
-60

Cooma

-70

-80

-90

-100

-110

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CNS/ATM Toolbox
Communications Navigation Surveillance

Broadcast

Point-to-point

GRAS

ADS-B

ADS-C

FIS

ATN non-ATN

RAIM Prediction GNSS

ATC Aircraft Surface

ATC

TIS

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GNSS AUGMENTATION
GRAS

Navigation
En-route through APV to Surface navigation

Surveillance
ATC, aircraft and surface vehicles

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GRAS in perspective
SBAS + Wide Coverage - Complexity Institutional ABAS + Autonomous - High End A/C GBAS + Local(23Nm) - Dedicated landing System Expensive

GRAS + Regional service Step wise implementation Added value service - Line of sight

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GRAS today
Sent to ICAO for standardisation (GNSSP) uses GBAS message format with one change

Solid manufacturing support

Still a chance to control the development process

Service identical to GBAS standard.

GRAS supports PVT and is compatible to GNSSP PVT

Need for broader understanding and inclusion in regional programs as an alternative, regional solution
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ICAO Approval Status GRAS

Concept presented to ICAO
Air Navigation Commission tasked GNSS Panel to develop SARPs 1999 Australia (Airservices) selected to develop SARPs

Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)

November 2000 - Concept of Operations developed March 2001 - first draft of SARPs distributed November 2001 - text mostly accepted by ICAO October 2002 - final text 2002-2003 - validation process March 2003 - approval expected by GNSS Panel

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ANY QUESTIONS ??
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