Designing, developing, and deploying a small footprint Low Frequency System for Positioning, Navigation, Timing, and Data services

We present an innovative, small footprint, Low Frequency (LF) Terrestrial Positioning System (TPS) based upon Enhanced Loran (eLoran) that is cost-effective, easily transportable, and rapidly-deployable. We show that our proposed TPS is significantly smaller and more economical than previous generations. The technology underlying the system is state-of-the-art, robust, reliable, and affordable, and represents a quantum leap forward in meeting the accuracy, integrity, continuity, and availability requirements for Positioning, Navigation, Timing, and Data (PNT&D) services. The system can be used as a standalone site or in conjunction with existing sites, other deployable sites, or other technologies. We discuss various options for scaling the system equipment upward or downward in power and size to fulfill a range of operational requirements. We present the design and development of our TPS and the field test results of a deployment in at least one location. We discuss all aspects of the system including: the transmitter; timing and signal generation equipment; command, control, and communications capability; ancillary equipment; backup/uninterruptible power; transmitting antenna options; and the equipment enclosure. Our proposed TPS makes land-based LF a more viable solution to augmenting and complimenting GPS in challenged environments and providing a PNT&D solution in denied situations.