GLONASS CDMA Signals Near Approval

February 22, 2008

Russia appears ready to add code division multiple access (CDMA) signals to its frequency division multiple access (FDMA) GLONASS system.

A final decision is expected next week, according to Sergey Revnivykh, deputy head of the Russian GNSS Mission Control Center, in a February 20 presentation to the Munich Satellite Navigation Conference in Germany. Under the plan, CDMA signals would be introduced at L1 and L5 frequencies near GPS and Galileo signals, beginning with the GLONASS-K generation of satellites that will launch in 2010.

Addition of CDMA signals would increase the potential interoperability with the other CDMA-based systems in user equipment able to process signals from satellites in multiple GNSS systems. The GLONASS-K satellites will also have a higher signal power.

Revnivykh also said that Russia will conduct triple launches of modernized GLONASS satellites (GLONASS-M) in September and November this year. If successful, that would ensure completion of an 18-spacecraft constellation comprising all GLONASS-M satellites.

More details on GLONASS modernization will be available at the International Satellite Navigation Conference in Moscow, April 7-8.