Subject: GPS control segment upgrade
Author: Jim Ray (forward to GPS users)
The U.S. Air Force has announced that a major upgrade is planned for the
GPS control segment (referred to as the Architecture Evolution Plan, or
AEP). AEP will swap out the entire master control station, which uses a
1970s-era legacy system, to a modern design based on current technology.
Among other things, this change is required in order to implement new
capabilities, such as the next generation of IIF satellites.
The AEP change is scheduled to occur during the second week of
September, over a period of 4-6 days. The transition will phase in a
few satellites at a time and will be completely reversible if anything
goes wrong. Before it begins, the old and new ground control systems
will be synchronized to the millimeter level so that the most demanding
users will experience a seamless change.
The civil community has been asked to disseminate the word about the
upcoming change as widely as possible. Should any anomalies be detected
during the transition period, users should follow the normal
notification procedures via the U.S.
Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov).
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