NovAtel to deliver signal generators for FAA’s WAAS navigation plans

NovAtel has secured a contract from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to design, produce and supply 40 next-generation ground uplink station (GUS) signal generators.

The GUS signal generators will be used to support the FAA’s safety-of-life Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) air navigation service.

In addition, the contract includes engineering support services for NovAtel’s portfolio of satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) products deployed by the FAA, including the WAAS G-III reference receiver platform.

The WAAS network has been developed by the FAA. It is used as a navigation aid that allows aircraft to use the US global positioning system (GPS) for all phases of flight.

Every time a plane takes off or lands within the WAAS coverage area, NovAtel technology will generate and process data to help pilots make precision approaches to any airport.

NovAtel Engineering and Safety Critical Systems vice-president Jonathan Auld said: “We have a long history with the FAA and have worked very closely with the WAAS programme team to develop multiple-generations of SBAS infrastructure.

“NovAtel remains committed to supporting the FAA and their safety-of-life WAAS service and we are excited to deliver this critical next-generation technology for SBAS modernisation.”

Under the contract, NovAtel will upgrade and extend support for the network’s GUS infrastructure with an aim to modernise the WAAS network.

According to NovAtel, the next-generation of GUS signal generators will feature independent L1 and L5 signal paths. These will control the frequency and phase of the L1 and L5 code and carrier for dual-frequency SBAS.

In order to conclude the modernised GUS control loop, the company will also release a GUS receiver system based on the WAAS G-III receiver platform.