THE STATUS, DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE-ROLE OF RADIOBEACON DIFFERENTIAL GNSS

Marine radiobeacons have been used to broadcast differential correctio ns for global navigation satellite systems (DGNSS) for nearly a decade . The method has become the accepted international standard for mariti me applications. The background to the development of the system is de scribed and the current status of radiobeacon DGNSS services around th e world reported. The applications are discussed, including the functi on of radiobeacon DGNSS as the position sensor within integrated syste ms, together with the performance requirements imposed by associated s ystems such as ECDIS and Automatic Identification Systems. The advanta ges and disadvantages of the radiobeacon system in regulatory, adminis trative and technical terms are discussed and the potential for develo pment of the system is considered. The future role of radiobeacon DGNS S in the overall mix of systems is assessed taking into account the in troduction of gee-stationary overlays, and possibly Loran-C, for provi sion of DGNSS corrections.