Real-time dLoran Service
This project encompasses all aspects of requirements capture, prototype development, coverage estimation, data bandwidth determination and overall systems engineering required in order to determine the optimum approach to differential-Loran service provision in the GLAs' coverage area. The information gathered will be needed to ensure we have the tools required to make effective and reliable technical decisions, and are able to provide an efficient and cost effective service.
A major aim of the project is to understand the number of reference stations required in the GLAs’ service area to provide optimum coverage. This will depend upon:
- The filtering of differential-corrections at the reference station and the rate at which these corrections are broadcast to the mariner. This will influence the amount of bandwidth required by each station on the Loran Data Channel.
- The degree of spatial decorrelation - how much error is introduced into the corrections with distance from the reference site. This will inform the range of each reference-station.
To support our work we often perform measurement trials at sea. The photograph below shows one of our development engineers standing next to our Mobile Measurement unit (MMU). This unit has been equipped with a portable differential-Loran Reference Station, and communications equipment for transmitting differential corrections to our transmitter in Cumbria, which are then broadcast to the mariner via the Loran Data Channel Eurofix. The MMU allows us to establish a temporary maritime eLoran service at a harbour approach within 24 hours of arriving on site.
