GPS Outfitters Inc. Responses to
Essential Questions for GPS Re-Radiator Presenters
What are the applications of your device(s)?
The RA 46 Vortech is a low power, L1 GPS reradiator designed to provide GPS signals in environments where a clear view of the sky is not possible, allowing receivers to stay locked on in conditions where GPS capability would normally be lost.
Federal Government applications
The RA 46 Vortech improves performance of GPS devices, and allows them to remain locked on inside APCs, Tanks, or other vehicles /aircraft.
Also allows personnel a method of maintaining and relaying accurate coordinates in military, law enforcement, and covert operations, without exposing personnel to harm’s way.
Can be used to test and use GPS receivers indoors
State/Local Government applications
Law enforcement/emergency response vehicle navigation, tracking, and dispatch. Crime scene and field investigation data collection.
Private/Commercial applications
Public utility vehicle navigation, tracking, and dispatch. Marking and identifying gas lines, cables and other positions, and addressing data points.
Indoor tracking using GPS RFID devices or position loggers.
What are the benefits of those applications to safety (lives saved)/commerce (money saved)/convenience (time saved)?
Safety: Lives can be saved by keeping GPS equipment locked on inside moving vehicles (military, law enforcement/emergency response, and commercial vehicles by keeping users inside a protective vehicle, or improving their response time to an emergency by maintaining the in-vehicle navigation system.
Commerce: Without reradiating equipment, many of the less expensive GPS solutions will simply not work in a poor sky view environment. This will force users to purchase GPS equipment with external antenna capability, which are more expensive . In the ruggedized laptop environment, users will be forced to abandon the built-in GPS receiver, and add a USB or Serial “Smart Antenna”, which can cost $85-200, and make the premium paid for an internal GPS laptop a wasted expense.
Convenience: Low power wireless reradiators allow users to keep their GPS locked on inside vehicles, and move from inside the vehicle to an open air environment without disconnecting power or RF cables. It also allows for multiple GPS devices to be used with the equipment, and offers the possibility of a temporary vehicle installation.
Can the information provided by those re-radiator applications be obtained in any other way?
In most cases, no. The majority of handheld GPS receivers and ruggedized laptops do not have external antenna capability. In laptop environments, the users often prefer to use the built-in GPS card, as it is the default hardware associated with most navigation, tracking, and dispatch software. In law enforcement and utility applications, users typically have a need to remove the laptop or PDA from the vehicle to mark crime scenes, utility cables/structures, or other items in the field. The RA 46 vortech allows them to keep locked on for navigation and tracking purposes while driving, and effortlessly take the computer out of the vehicle, without disconnecting and power or RF cables.
What is the nature of your device(s)?
Are they Fixed (permanent), Fixed (temporary) or Mobile?
The RA 46 Vortech can be used as a Mobile or Fixed device. It’s primary design is for mobile vehicular applications.
What levels do they emit (Power output and antenna characteristics)?
–109.5 dBm @ 30 meters, 39dB below acceptable spurious emission limits
What means have you used to determine the signal output level
Certified Test Lab
(measurement/measurement method vs. calculation/calculation method)?
Measurement
What ability does the user have to alter these characteristics?
None. The RA 46 Vortech transmitter is in a sealed housing, power level set at factory
What regulatory scheme do you believe would be appropriate to ensure that there was no interference to GPS?
Would you propose licensing vs non-licensed use?
Non-Licensed with equipment waiver
If you propose licensing, what process should be used and what criteria should be used to evaluate proposals?
If licensing the RA 46 Vortech is deemed necessary, an equipment waiver based on power output would be an excellent method. Licensing would be limited to commercial/emergency responder applications (not general consumer usage)
If you proposed non-licensed use, what approach would you propose to deal with the prohibition on non-licensed use in the current rules (waiver, rule change. etc.)?
Equipment waiver for specific applications. This would avoid rule change requirement, and not set a precedent for transmitting on restricted frequencies without specific equipment testing and approval.
Would you limit the sales, installation and use to specific groups? If so, which groups?
Yes. Sales will be limited to federal government agencies (including Justice, DOT, and HAS), state and local government agencies, law enforcement, and emergency personnel, and commercial entities involved with public utilities (gas, electric, cable, shipping)
What emission limits should be applied to the devices?
–150dB/24Mhz @ 30m, or the existing spurious emission levels on the design frequency.
How can the location of the devices be limited to ensure that there isn’t interference to the general public?
The RA 46 Vortech power level is so low, it would not be necessary to address the location of the device.
Can the locations be entered into an on-line database?
The RA46 Vortech is a mobile device. The users could be entered into a database, but tracking the exact location of mobile device in the field would not be practical.
Have you considered the use of leaky co-axial cable to distribute the re-radiated signal?
Yes. The performance of this method was not good enough to provide the benefit required in the field.
What is the bandwidth of the re-radiated GPS signal?
10dB down from peak, 2Mhz wide, centered at 1575 GHz
+/- 12.5 Mhz 16dB down, centered at 1575 GHz
NTIA has developed rules to accommodate a specific use of GPS re-radiators (e.g., fixed, use for testing purposes only, received power limit at a specified distance). What are your thoughts on the NTIA GPS re-radiator rules?
GPS Outfitters takes the position that the current changes to the NTIA rules unnecessarily prohibits low power, mobile devices that can be of a great benefit to a wide variety of government and commercial users, and should be modified to allow an equipment waiver to be granted for equipment that meets a specific maximum power level through certified testing. The NTIA and FCC would be able to revoke the equipment waiver based on any future developments that indicate dangerous interference, and control and/or limit who is allowed to use the device.