NAV99/ILA28 Conference
Church House, Westminster, London, UK. November 1-3, 1999
 Loran-C, Satellite and Integrated Systems for the 21st Century
Summary Report
 Although the Patron of the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN), H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh could not be present in person he sent the following message to be read by the President of the RIN, Richard Smith at the opening of the conference. The text of the message that follows is consistent with many of the papers presented and is reflected in the Resolution passed by the delegates at the conference conclusion.
 
 Balmoral Castle
 There can be no doubt that artificial satellites have revolutionised navigation in all three elements, land, sea and air. However, no system of navigation, from Harrisons’s chronometer, through star sights to radio aids, and now satellites has ever been completely reliable. The risk of awkward climatic conditions and mechanical or electronic breakdown has always been present. So, the great question remains, whether to have complete faith in any one system, however convenient and accurate, or to go for independent, yet complementary, systems capable of coping with problems that might arise at either the provider or the user end.
 I would like to commend the Royal Institute of Navigation on the organisation of this conference, in conjunction with the International Loran Association. I am quite sure that the variety of views expressed in the many presentations will be a great help in charting the way ahead.
 Signed
 Philip
 
 The Conference:
Just under 40 papers were presented in a single forum in the rotunda at Church House. Each session was followed by questions and general discussion. The topics covered Radionavigation Policy and Plans; Future Satellite Systems; Timing and Communications Technology; Propagation and Interference; System Integration; Differential Systems; Signal Structure and Systems; Receiver Technology; and Aviation Issues. At the conclusion of the conference a resolution was drafted and presented to the delegates who debated its content and ultimately accepted the text which follows:
 
The RIN and ILA, in Conference in London November 1-3, 1999
(NAV99/ILA28) 
RESOLVES THAT The principle of relying on one radionavigation system as the sole means of navigation is unsafe and neither technically nor operationally viable.

Satellite navigation systems will provide the principal means of navigation in the future. The continuing development of such systems is therefore welcome.

For the foreseeable future terrestrial systems for position determination, radionavigation and timing are needed for back up, and augmentation of, satellite systems. In this regard:
    • Loran-C and Chayka services should continue to be provided;
    • The ability of Eurofix to integrate Loran-C and Chayka services with satellite systems is recognised and its implementation is encouraged;
    • Studies should continue into the use of the Loran-C/Chayka communication capability as a means of establishing an integrated satellite/terrestrial multi-modal system.
    • Studies should continue into the integration of inertial systems and DME as well as ILS and MLS with satellite navigation systems for aviation operations in all phases of flight.
States and Organisations providing radionavigation services are invited to collaborate to produce stable, definitive and progressive policies and standards which will facilitate the availability of multi-modal position determination, navigation and timing services and appropriate user equipment. 
 
Summary of Proceedings
Common to many of the papers presented was the theme that satellite technology for position determination, navigation and timing would become the primary service for use throughout the world but that total dependence on any one system to ensure safety of life and national security would not be acceptable. The possibility of two satellite systems satisfying the requirement of redundancy was suggested and, for aviation and those who could afford them, the use of inertial systems was suggested as having the required diversity.
The Keynote address by the Secretary General of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, Torsten Kruuse, captured the theme of the conference by reviewing the next generation of satellite systems, the resurgence in interest of Loran-C and the integration of satellite and terrestrial systems. This was followed by an address by Dr. Ulrich Klinge on the future of the Northwest Europe Loran-C System Consortium (NELS), an inter-governmental treaty organization, suggesting a unique and wider role for the organization as a service provider of integrated systems for the Trans European Network. The Russian delegate, Vladimir Denisov, echoed the sentiments expressed by the previous speakers by endorsing full integration of satellite and terrestrial systems including the extension of Chyaka/Loran-C coverage.
The representative from the US Department of Transportation, Heywood Shirer, went as far as possible to convey the current status of the Radionavigation Policy in the United States. This included the 1998 (now 1999) Federal Radionavigation Plan and the announcement of the continuation of loran in the US beyond the year 2000. Definitive information on both subjects was not possible due to the involvement of the Office of the Management and Budget, but it was stated that an announcement would be made within the next two weeks or so.
An overview of the Galileo project revealed in-depth program planning of the definition phase with detailed tasks associated with dates for completion. A paper on the GPS modernization and Galileo signal structure suggested that the choice and protection of frequencies is complex having many conditions, some conflicting, that must be resolved.
The use of Loran-C for communicating differential corrections for GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo was addressed in a number of papers. Implementation of the technology called Eurofix was reported as underway on four loran transmitters and is currently operational in an experimental mode on the German transmitter located in Sylt.
Differential corrections for satellites using MF beacons ere also addressed. The problem of mutual interference can be avoided by reallocation of frequencies according to work undertaken by the University of Wales.
A plea was made by the Russian delegate to obtain further cooperation of the Mediterranean States to extend coverage of Loran-C and Chayka (Loran-C equivalent) and to implement Eurofix throughout the combined coverage area.
Loran-C as a complement to satellite technology was covered in a number of papers and, in particular, as an alternative to GPS to secure the continuous availability of a time standard throughout the world.
Many other topics were covered. There was more than the usual number of questions and the discussions that followed were lively with an excellent interchange of knowledge, experience, ideas and suggestions.
All in all, the delegates seemed to agree that this was a useful conference with a number of excellent presentations of a high standard.
Proceedings containing all the papers plus photos will be published in 2000.
JB
991107
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