Coast Guard Discontinues Differential GPS Broadcast
On June 30, 2020 the Coast Guard switched off the last Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) signals after more than 25 years of service.With the improved accuracy and integrity of un-augmented GPS over the last several years, and with the introduction of the U.S. operated satellite-based augmentation system known as Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the maritime community no longer has a mission requirement for DGPS. GPS now provides sufficient positional accuracy…
Differential GPS Site Closure
The Miami, FL DGPS site, broadcast frequency 322 kHz, will be decommissioned and taken permanently off-line September 8, 2009 at 1200 EST. NAVCEN operates the Coast Guard Maritime Differential GPS (DGPS) Service and the developing Nationwide DGPS Service, consisting of two control centers and over 80 remote broadcast sites. The Service broadcasts correction signals on marine radiobeacon frequencies to improve the accuracy and integrity to GPS-derived positions. The Coast Guard DGPS Service provides 10-meter accuracy in all established coverage areas. Typically, the positional error of a DGPS position is 1 to 3 meters, greatly enhancing harbor entrance and approach navigation.
Trimble Awarded USCG Contract
Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced that it has received a contract from the U.S. Guard (USCG) to provide up to 400 reference station receivers over the next three years for its Maritime Differential GPS (DGPS) Service modernization program. The USCG's Maritime DGPS Service provides navigation information for coastal areas, harbors and waterways in the continental U.S., the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, portions of Alaska, Hawaii, and a greater part of the Mississippi River Basin free-of-charge. As part of the DGPS system, the Trimble(R) NetRS(R) reference station receivers will provide accurate navigation correction messages that are broadcast to recreational boaters, commercial shipping and fishing fleets, workboats and cruise ships.
