NavIC - India's Own GPS gets International Recognition

India’s own-GPS now gets international recognition similar to that of the US, Russia, and China. 

NavIC - India's GPS can now scan 1,500 kilometers beyond the country's borders.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said on Tuesday, 8th Dec 2020, that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recognized NavIC - India's own GPS, as a component of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS).

What is NavIC?

The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is popularly known as NavIC which stands for "NAVigation with Indian Constellation", is designed to provide accurate and timely positional information to assist with the navigation on the Indian mainland.

History of NavIC

NavIC was initiated after the Kargil war in the year 1999 when the US refused to give important GPS data to India. The country's own navigation system was a requirement but during the Kargil war its real importance was felt and the NavIC project was initiated.

NavIC satellite system was first announced in 2007 and was meant to be completed by 2012 but due to some constraints, it did not complete on the stipulated time period. Its first satellite was sent into orbit in the year 2013.

NavIC Details 

According to the ISRO, the NavIC was developed for terrestrial, aerial, and marine navigation. It can also be utilized for vehicle tracking, disaster management, and fleet management, and mobile phone navigations. 

NavIC system consists of a constellation of seven satellites, which are positioned around 36,000 kilometers away from Earth.

This navigation system provides two types of navigation services, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS).

Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is for all users but Restricted Service (RS) is an encrypted service, which is for only authorized users, like armed forces, etc. 

NavIC Comparison with Other Navigation Systems

NavIC system is powered by seven satellites. It can provide a position accuracy of better than 20 meters.

Russia’s GLONASS, Global Navigation System, is powered by 26 satellites.

China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) is powered by 35 satellites globally.

Europe’s Galileo system, started its operations in 2016, is powered by 30 satellites.

US based GPS, Global Positioning System, is powered by 24 satellites and can provide position accuracy of up to 4.9 meter radius. But it uses only L band whereas NavIC system uses both S and L bands which increases the accuracy of NavIC in comparison to GPS.

NavIC Usage 

NavIC can provide accuracy in positions of better than 20 meters to help with things like marine navigation, vehicle tracking, navigation for hikers and travellers, and navigation for drivers.

It is also approved by the global standards body 3GPP, responsible for coordinating global standards for cellphones. This approval opens this system for commercial use by mobile manufacturers.

Qualcomm, one of the largest mobile processors maker in the world, has already produces NavIC-capable chipsets that are used by RealMe and Xiaomi in their new mobile handsets.

Conclusion

India’s NavIC system has the capability of replacing the US based GPS system. If it is distributed properly in the country it can soon replace GPS system. New mobiles are adapting this technology now and NavIC is also providing a better solution to all the navigation needs of India.