ISRO NAVIC GPS App Download : Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

ISRO NAVIC GPS App Download : Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

What is Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system being developed by India. It is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary, which is its primary service area. An Extended Service Area lies between primary service area and area enclosed by the rectangle from Latitude 30 deg South to 50 deg North, Longitude 30 deg East to 130 deg East.

IRNSS Services – SPS / RS

NAVIC GPS App (IRNSS) will basically provide two types of services which are as follows:-

• Standard Positioning Service (SPS) – This is provided to all users. It will facilitate research & development and aid the commercial use of the IRNSS signals for navigation-based applications.

• Restricted Service (RS) – This is an encrypted service which is accessible only to authorized users. This IRNSS System will provide a position accuracy of better than 20 m in primary service area.

The IRNSS System is expected to provide a position accuracy of better than 20 m in the primary service area. People can use this App as “Navigator” which is necessary to reach any place across India. This is a Swadeshi GPS system, which is developed entirely by our scientists. Now the country will not have to be dependent on other countries for navigation aid in NAVIC GPS App.

IRNSS Applications – NAVIC Indian Navigation GPS System

Various applications for which NAVIC GPS App (Navigator) could be used are as follows:-

• Terrestrial, Aerial and Marine Navigation
• Usage in Disaster Management Activities
• Tracking of vehicles and fleet management
• Integration with mobile phones
• Precise Timing
• Mapping and Geodetic data capture
• Terrestrial navigation assistance for hikers and travellers
• Visual and voice navigation for drivers

The IRNSS Signal-in-Space Interface Control Document (ICD Ver. 1.1) for Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is released to the public. It would provide the essential information on the IRNSS signal-in-space, to facilitate research & development and aid the commercial use of the IRNSS signals for navigation-based applications. Download IRNSS Signal-in-Space Interface Control Document through the link – https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/irnss_sps_icd_version1.1-2017.pdf

Why NAVIC GPS App Has been Built

When Pakistani troops took positions in Kargil in 1999, one of the first things Indian military sought was the global positioning system (GPS) data for the region. The space-based navigation system maintained by the US government would have provided vital information, but the US denied it to India. A need for an indigenous satellite navigation system was felt earlier, but the Kargil experience made the nation realise its importance.

ISRO NavIC App Announcement

The satellite system was first announced in 2007 and was meant to be fully functional by 2012 but it did not happen due to various constraints. The first of the nine satellites was sent into orbit in 2013. PM Narendra Modi then officially announced the launch of Navic App on 72nd Independence Day celebration i.e on 15 August 2018.

How accurate is Navic App

With nine satellites, NavIC is considered to be at par with US-based GPS, Russia’s Glonass and Galileo developed by Europe. The IRNSS is expected to provide a position accuracy of better than 20 metre in the primary service area. On the other hand, 24-satellite based GPS enabled smartphones can be accurate to within a 4.9 meter radius.

The accuracy will though worsen near buildings, bridges and trees. Cloud cover also impacts GPS’ accuracy. In some GPS receivers, the accuracy can be as good as 11.8 inches. However, it is being said that the NavIC system uses S and L bands, unlike GPS which uses only L band. This, as per reports, helps NavIC to be more accurate than GPS.

Will more phones support NavIC

Qualcomm has already created three chipsets with NavIC support which means more phones may soon be launched in India with NavIC support.

NAVIC GPS App Implementation – IRNSS Satellites Launched by ISRO

Till date, ISRO has build total 9 satellites in IRNSS series of which 8 satellites are in orbit while 1 is unsuccessful in its launch. 3 satellites are in geostationary orbit (GEO) and 5 satellites are in geosynchronous orbits (GSO) to maintain an inclination of 29° to the equatorial plane. The 8 satellites which are currently in orbit are as follows:-

PM Modi has named the IRNSS constellation as “NavIC” (Navigation with Indian Constellation) and dedicated IRNSS 1G satellite to the nation. PSLV-39 / IRNSS 1H is unsuccessful during its launch, so it could not reach the orbit. NAVIC GPS App has now become functional and is going to replace all the existing GPS Systems.