Positioning and navigation is a function that has always been of major importance in sustaining human activities, whether to explore new lands, for controlling aviation or transportation, or in conducting warfare. In the past fifty years navigation and positioning methods have made a quantum leap and can be applied with significantly low-cost and low-power miniature devices accessible to individuals. A leap in these technologies occurred with the introduction of the Global Positioning System (GPS) by the United States and GLobal Orbiting NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) by the former Soviet Union in the 1980s. This has resulted in rapid and revolutionary adaptation of satellite based navigation and positioning systems worldwide. Soon after the introduction of GPS and GLONASS, the European Union and China have initiated similar systems namely Galileo and Compass respectively. The development and successful commercialisation of satellite-based navigation and positioning methods for numerous applications in the late 1990s is currently resulting in scores of applications and mass-market adaptations. Meanwhile, the introduction of other satellite-based regional and augmented systems has resulted in the use of a more generic label, namely Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for a technology that is increasingly considered a public utility. Textbooks on GNSS are very limited; and perhaps, in India, this is the first initiative to write on GNSS rather than GPS. The author, B. Bhatta, has done a wonderful job in compiling this textbook on GNSS. Although the focus is on GNSS, as it should be, other earlier and current methods are clearly described in context. A full understanding of GNSS principles can be a frustrating experience for readers that are not familiar with the required fundamentals of celestial mechanics, signal processing, positioning algorithms and techniques, geometry of positioning, and error estimation. These topics are well treated in this book and are supplemented by an introduction of GNSS augmentations. Discussion on various receivers and surveying techniques will help the readers to select appropriate receiver and surveying method for a specific application. Examples of applications, described in a separate chapter, illustrate well the utilisation diversity of GNSS. This book keeps the mathematical and physical baggage to a minimum in order to maximize accessibility and readability by a large segment of readers who require a rapid overview of GNSS. The book fits between existing introductory texts for non-technical readers and the more highly rated textbooks for the initiated engineers and will be of value for numerous college courses and industrial use. I trust you will find this book very informative and useful.
Chandan Chakraborty

Addl. Surveyor General (retired)

Survey of India

Government of India
--Foreword

The book is comprised with 11 chapters and one appendix. Each chapter in the book commences with an introduction, which briefly outlines the topics covered in the chapter, and ends with exercises which help the students to assess their comprehension of the subject matter studied in the chapter. The chapters also contain numerous illustrations and notes that complement the text. Chapter 1 covers the basic concepts of GNSS, brief outline of positioning and navigation, history of navigation, and introduction to satellite-based navigation systems. Chapter 2 describes the functional segments of GNSS and provides system descriptions for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Compass in detail. Chapter 3 introduces the geometric concepts of positioning and the basic working principle of GNSS. Chapter 4 deals with GNSS signals, how these signals are transmitted, what coded information carried by these signals, and how these signals are used to determine the distance from the satellite to the receiver. Chapter 5 describes the errors and inaccuracies involved in GNSS and how can they be mitigated, in addition to other accuracy related issues. Different positioning and navigation methods, such as static/kinematic, standalone/differential, real-time/postprocessed, etc., have been discussed with great detail in Chapter 6. Chapter 7 is to introduce with several regional satellite navigation systems (such as QZSS, IRNSS), Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (e.g., EGNOS, WAAS, MSAS, GAGAN), Ground Based Augmentation Systems (e.g., LAAS, DGPS), and others (such as Inertial Navigation System and Pseudolite). Chapter 8 furnishes the details of GNSS receiver its architecture, signal acquisition and positioning, classification of receivers, and other receiver related relevant information. Chapter 9 deals with geodesy different coordinate systems, datums, and projections; while Chapter 10 focuses on the numerous applications of GNSS. Chapter 11 is aimed to address practical issues, which describes how surveying is done with GNSS and the factors that should be considered in GNSS surveying. Appendix A focuses on some mapping issues which will help the beginners to understand GNSS technology better. A very rich glossary and references at the end are for the benefit of the students and researchers. --Publisher

This book begins with the fundamentals of GNSS. As readers go through the chapters of this book, they will learn about the functional segments of GNSS, working principles, signals, accuracy related issues, different navigation and positioning methods, various GNSSs and their augmentations, satellite geodesy, and applications of GNSS. This book provides a clear idea of how a GNSS works, what are the error-related issues involved, and how to come out of these errors. Not only will readers gain an insight into the techniques, trends, and applications of GNSS, they will also develop knowledge on selecting an appropriate GNSS instrument and suitable method for a specific application from the practical point of view. Guidance on GNSS surveying, navigation, and mapping has also been incorporated in great detail. The book is written in a manner that makes it both a starting point for someone approaching the subject of satellite navigation and positioning systems for the first time as well as a reference for those already familiar with the field. It has been done by organizing the subject into four areas: basic overview, technology description, mathematical explanations, and, finally, practical implementations and implications. Thus, for the uninitiated the text provides a complete understanding of GNSS. For the initiated readers, it becomes a reference in which one can easily locate formulas, concepts, guidance, or other relevant information; particularly very complete and through list of references and citations. The primary purpose of this book is to be a learning resource for college and university students, as well as for individuals now in the industry who require indoctrination in the basics of GNSS and its applications. Practicing surveyors will appreciate the provided detailed guidance on various surveying operations. It is hoped that this book will attract and inspire individuals who might consider a specialized career in this field or in the broader fields allied with navigation, positioning, tracking, satellite-communication, space technology, and earth sciences. --Publisher --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.