Comment Period on Pre-Operational CNAV Message Opens

A Federal Register Notice has been published allowing for a 30-day comment period on the proposed CNAV message on L2C and L5. The notice seeks comment from the public and industry regarding plans by the U.S. Air Force to broadcast pre-operational L2C and L5 civil  navigation (CNAV) messages from certain GPS satellites beginning in April.

The Department of Transportation is the agency seeking comments. Its concerns about the plan drew ire in January.

“These messages will be formatted in accordance with Interface Specifications IS–GPS–200G and IS–GPS–705C, each dated January 31, 2013. However, a pre- operational signal means the availability and other characteristics of the broadcast signal may not comply with all requirements of the relevant Interface Specifications and should be employed at the users’  own  risk,” the notice says.

According to the notice, the Department of Transportation seeks comments on the benefits, risks, or issues to users from the plan, including comments on the appropriate timeline for broadcasting pre-operational CNAV messages. Comments are requested from industry on:

• the receiver development benefits and other intended uses of pre-operational signals, and
• the benefits and potential impacts to users of continuous pre-operational CNAV messages with L2C and  L5 signals set healthy.

The deadline to submit comments is April 4, 2014.

Comments should include the docket number [DOT– OST–2014–0028] and be submitted using one of the following methods:

(1) Federal  eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov.

(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.

(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M–30),  U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor,  Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001.

(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and  5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202–366–9329.

The full Federal Register Notice can be downloaded here.