Chronos Partner, Symmetricom, tests GPS Products in line with the Recent Launch of a new GPS Satellite

Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, 4th January 2007 – Chronos Technology’s US based partner Symmetricom Inc. has completed the testing of its products that use GPS signals following the recent successful launch of a new GPS satellite for the US Air Force.  This marked the third GPS mission launch in the past 14 months designed to replace older satellites and to keep the orbiting system in good working condition. The modernised GPS IIR satellites feature greater accuracy, increased resistance to interference and enhanced performance for users. With these recent launches, the GPS constellation of satellites now contains 31 operational satellites which may increase to 32 depending on satellite longevity and future scheduled replenishment launches.

With the new GPS satellite launches and the fact that the constellation may soon have 32 operational satellites it is critical that GPS equipment be able to properly account for up to 32 operational Pseudo Random Codes [PRNs]. In fact, the 50th Space Wing and GPS Wing of the Department of the US Air Force have requested that manufacturers of GPS user equipment, like Symmetricom, evaluate the impact of their equipment of processing more than 30 PRN codes.

The Air Force has also requested that GPS military users that employ the encrypted Wide-Area GPS Enhancement (WAGE) message for improved accuracy make sure that processing more than 30 PRN codes does not adversely impact WAGE-enabled receivers.

Symmetricom Tested Equipment

Symmetricom has just completed the testing of its products that use GPS signals. The following equipment passed the tests that demonstrate that they can successfully receive broadcasts from all 32 PRNs: 

• SSU-2000 Synchronization Supply Unit
• TimeSource Primary Reference Source
• TimeProvider Edge Clock
• DCD-LPR Series Cards
• OfficeTime 21 GPS Primary Reference Source 
• PRR-10 Primary Reference Receiver 
• 55300A GPS Telecom Primary Reference Source

Some of these GPS receivers are older units in use with major telecom operatives of both wireline and wireless networks.  Whether older or newer deployments, these carriers can be assured that their networks will not suffer from adverse effects brought about the enhancement of the GPS constellation of 32 satellites.

For more information and photographs please contact:

Louise Davies
Chronos Technology Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1594 862200
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