GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems)

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is the term used to describe satellite navigation systems. This includes GPS, GLONASS (the Russian system), Beidou (the Chinese system), and GALILEO (the system being developed by the European Union).

Each constellation has slightly different designs. For example, they are at different altitudes, and thus have different orbital periods. Secondly, they use different frequencies, although all are L-band.

Figure 1.Satellite launches for the major GNSS constellations. The large number of GLONASS launches reflects the fact that GLONASS satellites have shorter lifetimes than GPS satellites. Credit: Wikipedia.

Satellite launches for the major GNSS constellations. The large number of GLONASS launches reflects the fact that GLONASS satellites have shorter lifetimes than GPS satellites. Credit: Wikipedia.

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Figure 2.Orbital information about GNSS and other systems. Credit: Adapted from Wikipedia.

Orbital information about GNSS and other systems. Credit: Adapted from Wikipedia.

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Figure 3.Frequency Allocation for GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou (COMPASS).

Frequency Allocation for GPS, GLONASS, and Beidou (COMPASS).

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