Leica GPS1200+
The only future proof GNSS
January 2009 Werner Lienhart, PhD
Technical Literature
White Paper
1. Introduction planned signals. For GPS, GLONASS and Galileo the
values were taken from the latest versions of the inter-
In the coming years two new global navigation satellite face control documents (ICD-GPS-200 rev C, 1993;
systems (GNSS) will reach their operational stage. Fur- GLONASS ICD, version 5.0, 2002; Galileo OS SIS ICD,
thermore, the two currently existing GNSS will be mod- Draft 1, 2008). For Compass the frequencies which
ernized and transmit new signals. In this article we pre- China filed at the International Telecommunication Union
sent the new Leica GPS1200+ GNSS receivers which (ITU) are plotted (Chen et al., 2007).
are capable of tracking signals of all four satellites sys-
tems. The use of four independent satellite systems and
signals of three frequency bands will bring significant
benefits to the user. Due to Leica Geosystems’ future
proof concept existing Leica GPS1200 receivers can
easily be updated to the new technology.
2. Evolution of Global Navigation
satellite systems
Currently, two Global Navigation Satellite Systems
(GNSS) are operational. These are the American Global
Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian Global Navi-
gation Satellite System (GLONASS). Both systems use
satellites orbiting the earth at an altitude of about
20 000km. These so called Medium Earth Orbiters
(MEO) transmit signals in two frequency bands L1 and Figure 1: Centre frequencies of currently transmitted
L2. and future satellite signals (frequencies which
are not operational yet are shown as dashed
lines, signals which will not be free of charge
During the last 25 years the space infrastructure of GPS or are encrypted are shown as dotted lines)
and GLONASS was constantly updated by introducing
new satellite generations. Already five generations of
GPS satellites have been launched (Block I, Block II, 3. Leica Geosystems’ Future
Block IIA, Block IIR, Block IIR-M). Two new generations Proof Concept
(Block IIF, Block III) will come within the coming years.
As will be explained later the Block IIF and Block III For most GNSS equipment there is only one option to
satellites are of special interest for high precision appli- upgrade to new technology, and that is to invest into a
cations since these satellites will transmit signals on an new receiver. Leica Geosystems is the only manufac-
additional L5 frequency. turer which offers a Future Proof concept that does not
require the purchase of a new receiver in order to benefit
The GLONASS system currently has two satellite types from new satellite signals.
in orbit (GLONASS, GLONASS-M) and plans to launch a
new type (GLONASS-K) from 2010 onwards (GPS
World News, 2008) that will also transmit signals on a
new frequency L3. The exact frequency of GLONASS L3
is not defined yet, but it is likely to be identical or close to
GPS L5.
GPS and GLONASS will soon be complimented by the
European Galileo and the Chinese Compass system.
Both systems already have test satellites in orbit. Sev-
eral operational satellites are planned to be launched
within the next two years. Figure 1 shows the centre Figure 2: Leica Geosystems’ Future Proof Concept
compared to other manufacturers’ ap-
frequencies of the currently transmitted and future
proaches
1
The GPS1200 system introduced in 2004, see figure 2, Simply add GPS L5 and the Galileo signals to today’s
was designed to be easily upgradeable to support new constellation and assume an average of 10 satellites per
signals by exchanging only the antenna elements and GNSS.
the measurement engine. By keeping the same housing
This adds up to
and the same electronics a GPS only receiver pur-
3 x 10 GPS sat. (L1/L2/L5) = 30 channels
chased back in 2004 can easily be upgraded to support
2 x 10 GLONASS sat. (L1/L2) = 20 channels
all four GNSS and the new signals with minimal invest-
4 x 10 Galileo sat. (E1/E5a/E5b/Alt-BOC) = 40 channels
ment.
90 channels
Additionally, keeping the same housings (same connec- For this calculation only signals with officially defined
tors, same electronics), allows our customers to use all signal structure have been taken into account. Taking
of their existing accessories (radio modules, cables, into account the remaining signals from table 1 will in-
batteries, etc.) crease the number of required channels beyond 100.
Table 1: Signals supported by GPS1200+ GNSS
The Future Proof concept was proven the first time in
May 2006 when older GPS1200 receivers could be General Number of channels 120
upgraded to support the GPS L2C and GLONSS signals, Supported GPS L1, L2, L5
see figure 2. Now Leica Geosystems proves the Future Satellite GLONASS L1, L2, L3*
Proof design for the second time by introducing an up- signals Galileo E1, E5a, E5b, Alt-BOC
grade to GPS L5, Galileo and Compass. This upgrade is Compass B1*, B2*
available for GPS1200 GG receivers and also for GPS *GPS1200+ GNSS receivers will be able to track these signals
only receivers from the market introduction of GPS1200 according to currently publicly available information
in 2004.
GPS1200+ GNSS receivers were developed to bring
4. GPS1200+ GNSS maximum benefit to high precision applications. There-
fore the receivers also support the Galileo Alt-BOC sig-
GPS1200+ GNSS covers a whole family of receivers
nal, which will be the most accurate signal in space. The
and antennas, ranging from light weight rovers
special properties of Alt-BOC will be discussed in a later
(ATX1230+ GNSS) to receivers for continuously operat-
section of this paper.
ing reference stations (GRX1200+ GNSS). A selection of
receivers and antennas is shown in figure 3. A detailed
GPS1200+ GNSS receivers support all Open Service
product overview can be found on the Leica Geosystems
(OS) signals which are signals that can be received free
homepage (www.leica-geosystems.com).
of charge by the user. The Galileo E6 frequency is not
supported because the Galileo Commercial Service (CS)
will operate on this frequency. Since users might have to
pay the satellite system provider for the use of this sig-
nal, it is not of interest for the intended market. Further-
more, a fifth Galileo signal would only bring minimal
benefit for high precision applications. The Compass
frequency B3 is also not supported because it only cov-
Figure 3: Selection of GPS1200+ GNSS products:
AX1203+ GNSS (left), GX1230+ GNSS (cen- ers the authorized service (Inside GNSS, 2008b).
tre), ATX1230+ GNSS (right)
The main characteristics of the GPS1200+ GNSS prod- 5. When should new technology
ucts are given in Table 1. Detailed technical specifica- be offered?
tions are available on the Leica Geosystems homepage.
For a surveyor the timing of GNSS hardware investment
The number of supported channels has been increased
is important. It is equally important for a manufacturer to
from 72 to 120. 72 channels became the industry stan-
decide when to develop new technology and bring it to
dard within the last few years. However, a simple calcu-
the market. Part of Leica Geosystems’ Future Proof
lation reveals that 72 channels will not be enough to
philosophy is to make new developments only when they
track all possible signals.
are technically justified bring user benefit.
2
Figure 4: The market introduction of GPS1200+ in the context of GNSS evolution
Therefore, due to the developments of the various 5.2 Galileo funding and signal struc-
GNSS within the last two years Leica is convinced that
ture
now is the right time to offer a receiver capable of GPS
L5, Galileo and Compass. The Galileo project had project delays from the start that
later turned into a severe crisis. In spring 2007 the con-
Figure 4 highlights past and future events which are cession negotiations between the Galileo Joint Under-
important for product development and market introduc- taking (GJU) and the industrial consortium responsible
tion. Key elements which give the reason for the market for completing the Galileo system failed. At that time
introduction of GPS1200+ GNSS in January 2009 are different alternative plans where investigated which even
described in more detail in the following sections. included the stop of the Galileo program (Inside GNSS,
2007).
5.1 Modernization of GPS
This crisis increased within the following months and
The next step in the GPS modernization will be the lead eventually to a failure of the Public Private Partner-
launch of the first GPS Block IIF satellite. According to ship (PPP). The Galileo program was then turned into a
the current launch schedule this will be in summer 2009 traditional publicly funded project. With the agreement
(www.boeing.com). GPS Block IIF satellites will transmit on the budget in April 2008 by the European Commis-
signals on the new L5 frequency. GPS1200+ GNSS sion’s transport ministers the Galileo program came
receivers will be able to track signals on three individual back on track (Inside GNSS, 2008a).
frequencies (L1/L2/L5) as soon as the first GPS Block
IIF satellite becomes operational. New linear combina- On the technical side, the European Union and the
tions can be made with these three frequencies. Their United States had several discussions to make the Gali-
benefit will be discussed in section 6. leo signals compatible to GPS signals. In an agreement
made in June 2004 the signal modulation of Galileo E1
3
and GPS L1 was fixed to a Binary Offset Carrier (BOC) The Galileo version of the MBOC signal is specified in
modulation (Avila-Rodriguez et al., 2007). According to an updated version of the Galileo ICD which was pub-
this agreement the BOC(1,1) modulation was also de- lished in February 2008. The second Galileo test satellite
fined for Galileo E1 in the first draft of the ICD (GAL OS GIOVE-B is already transmitting the MBOC signal,
SIS ICD, Draft 0, 2006). The power spectral density of whereas the older first Galileo test satellite GIOVE-A is
this signal is shown in figure 5. transmitting the BOC signal. Figure 6 shows the power
spectral density of the MBOC signal. The portion of the
BOC(6,1) power on the MBOC signal is shown in green.
A receiver designed to track only a BOC signal may still
be able to track the Galileo E1 signals but will lose 1/11
of the signal power.
One other important fact of Galileo is that so called
Memory Codes are used instead of Gold Codes as used
by GPS. This was defined in the first draft of the Galileo
ICD and has been retained.
Summarizing the above, Galileo funding is now secured
and the signal structures are finalized since spring 2008.
Figure 5: Power spectral density of a BOC(1,1) signal Only with these two items solved serious hardware de-
velopment can be made.
Further discussions between the European Union and
the United States and scientific investigations lead to a
Developing hardware without solid knowledge can result
revision of the initial decision. In a second agreement
in products which do not achieve their specifications, see
made in July 2007 the baseline was changed to a Multi-
for instance interview with Javad Ashjaee published in
plexed BOC (MBOC) signal with the following normal-
GPS World March 2008 (GPS World, 2008).
ized power spectral density:
Manufacturers which developed hardware without
10 1
G MBOC ( 6,1,1 / 11) ( f ) = G BOC (1,1) ( f ) + G BOC ( 6,1) ( f ) (1) knowledge of Memory Codes (before first ICD was avail-
11 11
able in spring 2006) will most likely not be able to track
the final Galileo navigation satellites. The Galileo test
As can be seen from eq. (1) the spectral power of a
satellites may be tracked because these do not transmit
MBOC signal consists of the sum of the spectral power
Memory Codes as defined in the ICD but Gold Codes
of two BOC signals.
like GPS.
Unlike Galileo E1 which uses MBOC modulation, the
signals of E5a and E5b are modulated using Binary
Phase Shift Keying (BSPK) similar to today’s GPS sig-
nals. Galileo satellites can multiplex these two signals
and inject it through a very wide band channel. The
result is the so called Alternative-BOC (Alt-BOC) signal,
see figure 7. The benefits of this wide band signal will be
discussed in section 6.
Figure 6: Power Spectral Density of the Galileo E1 Figure 7: Power Spectral Density of the Galileo E5 Alt-
MBOC signal BOC signal
4
5.3 Compass development nals in three frequency bands free of charge. The avail-
ability of signals on three frequencies makes new linear
Since 2000, China is also building up their navigation combinations possible. Using different linear combina-
system Compass (also called Beidou). The Compass tion can significantly reduce the initialization time. With
system consists of two systems, a global navigation new concepts e.g. TCAR (Triple Carrier Phase Ambigu-
system and a local augmentation system. In the final ity Resolution, Forssell et al., 1997) it will be possible to
stage Compass will consist of 30 MEO satellites of the fix ambiguities almost instantaneously (Eisfeller and
global navigation system and of 5 geostationary satel- Schüler, 2006).
lites (GEO) of the augmentation system. The first MEO
satellite was launched in April 2007. 10 more satellites Another advantage of a third frequency such as L5 is
are planned to be launched within the next two years that its frequency difference from L1 is larger than the
(Inside GNSS, 2008c). difference between L2 and L1. Therefore, the L1/L5
Summarizing the arguments of this section Leica be- ionospheric free linear combination will have lower noise
lieves that beginning of 2009 is the right time to release than the currently used L1/L2 ionospheric free linear
GPS1200+ GNSS because: combination (Urquhart and Santos, 2008).
the first GPS L5 capable satellites will be launched in The low noise of the ionospheric free L1/L5 linear com-
2009 bination and the possibility to form more linear combina-
the Galileo signal definition is in a solid status since tions will significantly increase the baseline length and
July 2007, Galileo funding is secured and the first will also allow fixing ambiguities during high ionospheric
“real” Galileo navigation satellites will be launched in activities. This will become important in the near future
2010 as solar activity increases again. Solar activity is gener-
several Compass satellites will be launched in 2009 ally quantified by the sunspot number which has an 11-
and 2010 year cycle.
6. User benefit
User benefits result from the increased number of
tracked satellites, the use of three frequencies and the
special Galileo Alt-BOC signal.
6.1 Benefit of additional satellite sys-
tems
Adding two more satellite systems to GPS and GLON-
ASS has the potential to double the number of observed
satellites which will result in a better geometry for the
position calculation. Although, in an open sky environ-
ment the additional satellites will not significantly im- Figure 8: Sunspot numbers of solar cycles 23 and 24
prove the position accuracy, they can be vital in high (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini-
stration, 2009)
obstructed environments like urban canyons. Using the
satellites of three or four GNSS can result in a phase Figure 8 shows the downturn of the last solar cycle and
fixed position at locations where this would not be possi- two prediction scenarios of the coming solar cycle. Ac-
ble with GPS and GLONASS alone. Additionally, using cording to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini-
more signals of several independent GNSS increases stration (NOAA) the next maximum is expected around
the reliability of satellite position. 2011 or 2012 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, 2007).
6.2 Benefit of additional frequencies
6.3 Benefit of Galileo Alt-BOC
The currently operational satellite systems will introduce
signals on a new frequency which is lower than the L2 The Alt-BOC(15,10) modulation on E5 is one of the most
frequency in the near future. Galileo will also offer sig- advanced and promising signals the Galileo satellites will
5
transmit. Investigations by several authors, e.g. Simsky European Space Agency / European GNSS Supervi-
sory Authority, 166 p.
et al. (2008), Eisfeller and Schüler (2006), show that the
Alt-BOC signal has the lowest multipath and tracking
GLONASS ICD (2002): GLONASS Interface Control
noise. This will make Galileo Alt-BOC the most accurate
Document Version 5.0. Coordination Scientific Infor-
navigation signal ever transmitted and will significantly mation Centre. Moscow, Russia
improve differential code solutions.
ICD-GPS-200 (1993) Navstar GPS Space Segment /
7. Summary Navigation User Interfaces, rev. C
In this article the Leica GPS1200+ GNSS was pre-
Inside GNSS (2007): More Perils for Galileo. Inside
sented. It was shown that due to the Future Proof Con- GNSS Volume 2, Number 2, March/April 2007, pp.
cept all existing GPS1200 equipment can easily be up- 16-19
dated to the new technology.
Inside GNSS (2008a): It’s a go! Inside GNSS Volume 3,
The presented features of GPS1200+ GNSS like quad- Number 3, Spring 2008, p. 13
ruple constellation, triple frequency and Galileo Alt-BOC
will bring the user significant benefits: Inside GNSS (2008b): China adds details to Compass
Signal Plans. Inside GNSS Volume 3, Number 6,
September/October 2008, p. 12
Longer baseline range
Higher reliability
Inside GNSS (2008c): China to launch 10 Compass SVs
Instantaneous initialization over two years. Inside GNSS Volume 3, Number 8,
Higher accuracy November/December 2008, p. 10
Less multipath impact
Better satellite geometry GPS World (2008) High Precision at a new level. Vol-
ume 19, Number 3, March 2008, pp. 34-36
Literature GPS World News (2008): GLONASS-K Birds Go Into
Production. GPS World News, 02.09.2008
Avila-Rodriguez J.-A., Hein G. W., Wallner S., Issler J.-L. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(2007): The MBOC Modulation. Inside GNSS Vol- (2007): Next solar storm cycle will start late. Press
ume 2, Number 6, September/October 2007, pp. 43- release of NOAA, April 25, 2007
58
Chen A., de Lorenzo D., Enge P., Gao G. X. & Lo S.
(2007): GNSS over China – The Compass MEO Simsky A., Mertens D., Sleewaegen J.-M. & de Wilde W.
Satellite Codes. Inside GNSS Volume 2, Number 5, (2008): MBOC vs BOC(1,1) multipath comparison
July/August 2007, pp. 36-43 based on GIOVE-B data. Inside GNSS, Volume 3,
Number 6, September/October 2008, pp. 36- 44.
Eisfeller B. & Schüler T. (2006): Das Europäishe Satel-
litennavigationssystem Galileo. Proc. 66. DVW National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Seminar, Schriftenreihe des DVW, issue 49, Augs- (2009): Solar Cycle Progression.
burg, Germany, pp. 17-39 http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/
Forsell B., Martin-Neira M., Harris R. A. (1997): Carrier Urquhart L. & Santos M. (2008). Triple-Frequency Car-
phase ambiguity in GNSS-2. Proc. ION GPS-97, rier Phase Linear Combinations for GNSS. GPS
Kansas. City, September 1997, pp. 1727-1736 th
World Tech Talk, 25 August 2008
Galileo OS SIS ICD (2006): Galileo Open Service, Sig-
nal In Space Interface Control Document Draft 0.
European Space Agency / Galileo Joint Undertaking,
192 p.
Galileo OS SIS ICD (2008): Galileo Open Service, Sig-
nal In Space Interface Control Document Draft 1.
6
Whether you want to survey a parcel of land or a construction site, a
facade or indoors to create as-built plans or carry out high-precision
measurements of bridge and tunnel constructions – Leica Geosystems’
surveying instruments provide the right solution for all measuring tasks.
The System 1200 Series instruments as well as the software are designed
to meet the daily challenges of modern surveying. They all have
outstanding, easy to read and user-friendly interfaces. Their straightforward
menu structures, their clearly outlined scope of functions and
high technology perfectly mate GNSS and TPS applications in the field.
Whether you use the advantages of both technologies combined or each
separately – due to the exceptional flexibility of Leica Geosystems
instruments, reliable and productive surveying is assured.
When it has to be right
Illustrations, descriptions and technical specifications are not binding and may change.
Printed in Switzerland – Copyright Leica Geosystems AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 2009
Leica Geosystems AG
Heerbrugg, Switzerland
www.leica-geosystems.com
