Satellite navigation is a growing market. The most widely known satellite navigation system is GPS (Global Positioning System) which is wholly owned and operated by the US Department of Defense although the largest number of users are now in the civil sector. Russia has operated a similar system, called GLONASS, for about the same period. Both systems provide a similar level of service and their integrated use potentially offers mobile users many advantages. This paper introduces the GLONASS system and how it works. It highlights the similarities and differences to GPS and gives a brief history of the programme. The paper discusses the limitations of GPS, particularly those which affect mobile users and explains how the integration of GPS and GLONASS can overcome many of these limitations. (A*)
Samenvatting