Isro to transfer technology for its GPS alternative to local firms
India’s space agency will transfer technology to build devices for navigation, including on smartphones.
This is part of an aim to get more users for the homegrown Navic (Navigation with Indian Constellation) network, a constellation of seven navigation satellites and India’s alternative to the US GPS network. So far, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has used these for strategic purposes. It is now slowly opening this for general use; accuracy, it says, is as close as five metres (against 20-30 metres for GPS).
The Space Application Centre (SAC) at Isro said it had developed the hardware and firmware for intended application. It will provide technical details to Indian industry on request, for a non-disclosure agreement.
User-trials are commencing for fisherfolk, with equip 500 fishing vessels to be equipped with Navic receivers by the end of the month. One can target big shoals, based on the fishing zone advisory that is part of the Navic system. The satellite constellation’s coverage area is up to 1,500 km around the mainland. These also allow broadcast of short messages — alerts, forecast, directives, dangers — for boats.
The receiver transmits raw data over a Bluetooth link. An application running on a smart device like a mobile phone or tablet having Bluetooth connectivity can decode and display the messages for users. This receiver is designed as a battery-operated device. An Android application has also been developed to display messages on mobile phone or tablet.
“Packaging is to be designed by the vendor, along with a battery charging option. Vendor participation is invited for production of the hardware in large numbers,” said SAC.