What is GLONASS And How It Is Different From GPS

Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, or GLONASS, is an acronym for the global navigation satellite system. Russia’s version of GPS is called GLONASS (Global Positioning System).

Who built GLONASS?

In 1976, the Soviet Union began developing GLONASS. The Russian Federal Space Agency’s most expensive programme, GLONASS, consumed a third of its budget in 2010.

Versions-

The many GLONASS iterations include

1. GLONASS launched in 1982, the satellites launched were intended to work for weather positioning, velocity measuring and timing anywhere in the world or near-Earth space by the military and official organisations.
2. GLONASS-M launched in 2003 add second civil code. It is important for GIS mapping receivers.
3. GLONASS-k started in 2011 again has 3 more types namely k1, k2 and km for research. Adds third civil frequency.
4. GLONASS-K2 will be launched after 2015 (currently in design phase)
5. GLONASS-KM will be launched after 2025 (currently in research phase)

What is A-GLONASS?

A-GLONASS, also known as Assisted GLONASS, is extremely similar to GLONASS but offers more functions for mobile devices. It includes features including real-time traffic information, turn-by-turn navigation, and more. It instantly locks your location with the aid of your data connection using nearby cell towers. Performance in chip-sets that support GLONASS is also improved by A-GLONASS.

How much did GLONASS cost?

The Russian government funded over 5 billion dollars in the GLONASS project up until 2011 and an additional 320 billion rubles ($10 billion) from 2012 to 2020. The most expensive project the Russian Federal Space Agency has ever undertaken is GLONASS.

How is GLONASS different from GPS?

The USA’s GPS system, which has a network of 31 satellites spanning the entire planet, is widely utilised in consumer electronics like mobile phones and navigators.

GLONASS was created by Russia after being launched by the Soviet Union in 1976. The earth is covered by a network of 24 satellites for this.

The picture displays the constellation and orbit of GPS (left) and GLONASS (right) (right).

Here is a comparison table of GPS and GLONASS specifications.

Advantage of GLONASS over GPS (GLONASS Vs GPS)

Other than precision over GPS, there are no obvious advantages. GLONASS doesn’t have the same level of coverage as GPS when used alone, but when the two are combined, accuracy and coverage are undoubtedly increased. Additionally, because GLONASS was originally developed for Russia, it is more useful at northern latitudes.

GLONASS has the advantage of having precision of up to 2 metres.

Commercial Use of GLONASS

A constellation of 55 satellites called GPS + GLONASS enables your gadget to be pinpointed anywhere in the world.

Therefore, you will be precisely followed by GLONASS satellites when you are in an area where GPS signals are jammed, such as between enormous skyscrapers or subways.

The Glospace SGK-70, the first GLONASS-enabled automotive navigation system, was big and expensive. The Russian government is making a lot of effort to market GLONASS.

What is offered for smartphones?

The first Apple product to use both GPS and GLONASS for locating locations on maps was the iPhone 4S.

All high-end gadgets that support GPS, particularly navigators, have GLONASS receivers built into them so they may use location-based services.

List of Smartphones supporting GLONASS

How Google Maps makes use of GLONASS and GPS?

Today, all smartphones, regardless of price range, come with A-GPS (aided Global Positioning System), which uses network resources to determine your location.

What s next after GLONASS and GPS?

• European Union is currently working on a system called GALILEO which provides highly accurate global positioning service under civilian control. Galileo system consists of 30 satellites (27 operational + 3 active spares), positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit planes at 23 222 km altitude above the Earth, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56 degrees to the equator.

• China is developing its own constellation of 35 satellites called BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and is under construction since January 2015. It will offer more capabilities than current GPS. It is currently operational in China and Asia pacific region with 11 satellites in use, will be globally available by 2020.

• IRNSS or Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System is autonomous satellite system being developed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and will offer public service and restricted service (authorized users like military). This system would consist constellation of 7 satellites out of which 4 are already placed in the orbit. The project is expected to be operational by 2016.

More and more smartphones are being released with GPS+GLONASS technology so users can utilise a dual core location-based service to locate their location now that GLONASS is available for public services. These capabilities were first exclusively found on flagship or high-end smartphones, but as time goes on, we’ll start to see both of these technologies included in low- and mid-range handsets. More businesses and chip makers appear to be interested in GLONASS technology, thus it is anticipated that more smartphones will be released using this technology.

The data connection is used by Google Maps and other mapping applications to connect to the GPS and GLONASS satellites, including Apple Maps and Nokia’s HERE Maps. Modern smartphones enable A-GPS and A-GLONASS, bringing features like real-time location information, location tracking, and turn-by-turn navigation.