Topcon Positioning Systems engineers have successfully tracked the new L5 signal transmitted from a U.S.-based GPS satellite.
More than four years ago, Topcon announced it had receivers capable of tracking L5 signals. Topcon’s current GR-3 and NET-G3 receivers are L5-capable.
The satellite began broadcasting the new signal April 10 and Topcon engineers successfully tracked the signal a few days later. The Air Force testing of the L5 signal is presently from one GPS satellite.
Topcon receivers can also receive GPS/GLONASS L1/L2 as well as GPS L5.
In an official announcement, the U.S. Air Force has cautioned the L5 signal is still under development and that quality and accessibility of the signal is not guaranteed.
The L5 signal was received at the Topcon Technology Center in Moscow. The satellite signal was tracked over a three-hour period at the highest satellite elevation. The signal was received with the energy potential of 55 dBHz.
Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation, was founded in 1932.
