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IBM43GAENGP0002
IBM Global Positioning Satellite Receiver
GP0001ds.fm (02)
August 11, 2000
General Information
Page 3 of 11
1.5.1 Signal Acquisition Modes
The IBM GPS Receiver supports the following three signal acquisition modes, depending on the availability of
critical data:
Table 1
below indicates the Time To First Fix (TTFF) when operating in each of the signal acquisition modes.
1.5.2 Navigation Modes
The GPS Receiver supports two navigation modes: three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D).
When four or more satellites are available with good geometry, the receiver will use the 3D navigation mode.
See
Table 2: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) Navigational Accuracy
on page 4 for the 3D navigation
mode accuracy.
When fewer than four GPS satellites are available, or when a fixed altitude can be used to produce an
acceptable result, the GPS Receiver enters the 2D navigation mode. To calculate a fix in 2D navigation
mode, the receiver uses either the last altitude determined in 3D navigation mode or data supplied by the
user. In 2D navigation, navigational accuracy is primarily determined by the relationship of the fixed value of
altitude to the true altitude of the antenna.
Cold Start
In this mode, the receiver has valid almanac and frequency standard parameters
available in memory. The receiver enters this mode on start-up when battery back-
up power is not maintained.
Warm Start
In this mode, the receiver has the following valid data either available in memory
or provided by the user at initialization: position, velocity, time, almanac, and
frequency standard parameters. The receiver enters this mode on start-up when
battery back-up power is maintained.
Hot Start
In this mode, the receiver has the following valid data available in memory: posi-
tion, velocity, time, ephemeris, almanac, and frequency standard parameters. The
receiver enters this mode following a software reset.
Table 1: Signal Acquisition Mode Performance
Acquisition Mode
Time
to
First Fix
1, 2
(seconds)
Initial Position Tolerance (3 Sigma)
Maximum
Almanac
Age
(weeks)
Maximum
Ephemeris
Age
(hours)
Position
(km)
Velocity
(m/sec.)
Time
(minutes)
Cold Start
120
N/A
3
N/A
3
N/A
3
1
N/A
3
Warm Start
45
100
75
5
1
N/A
3
Hot Start
15
100
75
5
1
4
1. 95% probability.
2. Times given are valid at 25
°
C with no signal blockage.
3. Not available in real time to the receiver.