GLONASS is ... Global navigation satellite systems. What is GLONASS and how does it differ from GPS

The GLONASS system is the largest navigation complex, which allows you to track the location of various objects. The project, launched in 1982, is still actively developing and improving. And the work is carried out both over the technical support of GLONASS, and over the infrastructure that allows the system to be used by more and more people. So, if the first years of the complex's existence, navigation through satellites was used primarily in solving military problems, today GLONASS is a technological positioning tool that has become mandatory in the lives of millions of civilian users.

Global satellite navigation systems

In view of the technological complexity of implementing global satellite positioning projects, only two systems - GLONASS and GPS - can fully comply with this name. The first is Russian, and the second is the fruit of American developers. From a technical point of view, GLONASS is a complex of specialized hardware equipment located both in orbit and on the ground.

For communication with satellites, special sensors and receivers are used, which read signals and form the position data on their basis. A special atomic clock is used to calculate time parameters . They serve to determine the position of the object, taking into account the translation and processing of radio waves. Reduction of errors allows to provide more reliable calculation of positioning parameters.

Satellite navigation functions

The range of tasks of global satellite navigation systems includes determining the exact location of terrestrial objects. In addition to geographical location, global navigation satellite systems allow to take into account time, route, speed and other parameters. These tasks are realized by means of satellites located at different points above the earth's surface.

The use of global navigation is used not only in the transport industry. Satellites help in search and rescue operations, performing geodetic and construction works, and also coordination and maintenance of other space stations and apparatuses is not without them. The military industry also does not remain without the support of the GPS system . GLONASS-navigator for such purposes provides a protected signal, designed specifically for authorized equipment of the Ministry of Defense.

The GLONASS system

The system began its full-fledged operation only in 2010, although attempts to introduce the complex into active work have been undertaken since 1995. In many respects, problems were associated with low durability of the satellites used.

Currently, GLONASS is 24 satellites that operate at different points in the orbit. In general, the navigation infrastructure can be represented by three components: spacecraft, control complex (provides control of the grouping in orbit), as well as navigation technical facilities of users.

24 satellites, each of which has its constant height, are divided into several categories. Each hemisphere has 12 satellites. By means of satellite orbits above the earth's surface a grid is formed, due to the signals of which the exact coordinates are determined. In addition, satellite GLONASS has several reserve objects. They are also in their own orbit and do not stand idle. Their tasks include expanding coverage over a specific region and replacing the failing satellites.

GPS System

The American analogue GLONASS is a GPS system that started its work also in the 1980s, but only since 2000 the accuracy of determining the coordinates made it possible for its wide distribution among consumers. To date, gps satellites guarantee accuracy up to 2-3 m. The delay in the development of navigation capabilities for a long time was due to limitations of positioning of an artificial nature. Nevertheless, their removal made it possible to determine the coordinates with maximum accuracy. Even with synchronization with miniaturized receivers, a result corresponding to GLONASS is achieved.

The differences between GLONASS and GPS

There are several differences between the navigation systems. In particular, there is a difference in the nature of the arrangement and motion of satellites in orbits. In the GLONASS complex, they move along three planes (eight satellites per each), and the GPS system provides for operation in six planes (approximately four per plane). Thus, the Russian system provides a wider coverage of the terrestrial territory, which is reflected in a higher accuracy. However, in practice, the short-term "life" of domestic satellites does not allow using the full potential of the GLONASS system. GPS, in turn, maintains high accuracy due to the excessive number of satellites. Nevertheless, the Russian complex regularly introduces new satellites, both for targeted use and as backup support.

Also, different methods of signal coding are used - Americans use CDMA code, and in GLONASS - FDMA. When calculating the data for positioning by the receivers, the Russian satellite system provides for a more complex model. As a result, the use of GLONASS requires a high energy consumption, which is reflected in the dimensions of the devices.

What do the GLONASS capabilities allow?

Among the basic tasks of the system is the determination of the coordinates of an object capable of interacting with GLONASS satellites. GPS in this sense performs similar tasks. In particular, the parameters of the movement of terrestrial, marine and air objects are calculated. Within a few seconds the vehicle provided by the appropriate navigator can calculate the characteristics of its own traffic.

At the same time, the use of global navigation has already become mandatory for certain transport categories. If in the 2000s the spread of satellite positioning was related to the control of certain strategic objects, today, marine and aircraft ships, public transport, etc. are supplied with receivers. In the near future, it is possible that GLONASS-navigators must provide all private cars.

What devices work with GLONASS?

The system is able to provide continuous global service to all categories of consumers without exception, regardless of climatic, territorial and temporal conditions. Like GPS services, GLONASS navigator is provided free of charge and anywhere in the world.

Among devices that have the ability to receive satellite signals, not only on-board navigation aids and GPS receivers appear, but also cellular phones. The location, direction and speed data are sent to a special server over GSM networks. The special GLONASS program and various applications that deal with the processing of cards help in using the satellite navigation capabilities.

Combined receivers

The territorial expansion of satellite navigation caused the splicing of the two systems from the point of view of the consumer. In practice, GLONASS devices are often supplemented by GPS and vice versa, which increases the accuracy of positioning and timing parameters. Technically this is realized by means of two sensors integrated into one navigator. Based on this idea, combined receivers working simultaneously with GLONASS, GPS and related equipment are produced.

In addition to increasing the accuracy of determining geographical coordinates, such symbiosis makes it possible to track the location when satellites of one of the systems are not captured. The minimum number of orbital objects, "visibility" of which is required for the navigator, is three units. So, if, for example, the GLONASS program becomes inaccessible, then the satellites gps will come to the rescue.

Other systems of satellite navigation

The European Union, as well as India and China, are engaged in developing projects similar in scale to GLONASS and GPS. The European Space Agency plans to implement the Galileo system, consisting of 30 satellites, which will achieve unmatched accuracy. In India, it is planned to launch an IRNSS system operating through seven satellites. The navigation complex is oriented towards domestic use. The Compass system from Chinese developers should consist of two segments. The first will include 5 satellites, and the second - 30. Accordingly, the authors of the project assume two formats of service.