NAVIBIZ: How will the global GNSS pattern be like in next 5 to 10 years? Will there be more countries to launch new GNSS?

Tony: Yes, I absolutely expect to see several countries launch new GNSS. In particular, I expect the 5-10 year time period to be very exciting from a global user perspective. For example, by that time the United States will have completed its GPS II-F modernization program and will have launched all of satellites in the first block of its next-generation GPS III program. These new satellites offer enhanced performance in terms of new signals, higher power levels, resistance to interference and better clocks.

The Russians will have a complete GLONASS constellation and the Europeans are scheduled to have 18 satellites up by 2014 and possibly a full constellation by the 2016-2017 timeframe. We know that China has been very active in launching new GNSS recently and will have a regional constellation in place by 2012 with a projected full global constellation by 2020.

The Japanese and Indians also have plans to launch GNSS satellites to enhance their regional systems, which will provide greater coverage in the Asian Pacific Region. The Asia Pacific GNSS Demonstration Project, which is just getting underway, will involve many of the countries in Asia in monitoring of civil GNSS signals. This will expand GNSS applications in these areas.

So any civil user will have many options to leverage multiple providers of global and regional GNSS to suit their particular applications.

NAVIBIZ: How does the U.S. government think about the development and order of the global GNSS industry? Are there any suggestions? Will there be divisions and controversy among various GNSS systems? What kind of mechanism should the international community adopt to deal with these problems?

Tony: From the U.S. perspective, there does not seem to be any real philosophical differences among the major GNSS providers. All of the players seem to be genuinely working together and have pledged to ensure compatibility. But we have a saying in the U.S.—"the devil is in the details," and with any technically complex global system-of-systems there are always a lot details.

Fortunately, the institutions to deal with these details are already in place and functioning. All the GNSS providers are working on issues as they are identified. The multilateral forum, the International Committee on GNSS meets on an annual basis and four subgroups are working technical issues. Additionally, regular workshops are held and the Committee adopted a principle of transparency which should also add to the development of stable global navigation satellite systems which are interoperable and compatible.

In response to your request for my suggestions, I want to reemphasize the principle of transparency. There will always be technical issues, but if these are identified early in a program's development cycle it is relatively easy and inexpensive to make adjustments to mitigate the issue. If, however, a nation waits until they are about to launch before an issue is identified, program changes become extremely costly and technically risky. Therefore, it is imperative all of the providers share as much information about their plans as early in the process as they can. In this way, any problem areas can be identified while it is still easy to make changes.

NAVIBIZ: From the perspective of users, GPS devices compatible with multiple GNSS systems are much more attractive. Will the U.S. consider close cooperation with the COMPASS, in terms of civil and even military use?

Tony: First of all, let me say I do agree with your premise. GPS devices compatible with multiple GNSS can be more attractive to users. This of course assumes that these other GNSS are built to acceptable standards and meet the user's criteria for accuracy, reliability, and other key performance metrics. If the standards are equivalent, then this is simply physics; more signals from more directions will yield better availability and higher precision.

President Obama's new National Space Policy, signed this summer, explicitly directs us to engage with foreign GNSS providers to encourage not only compatibility, but also interoperability. It also permits us to use foreign PNT services to augment and strengthen the already robust performance of GPS. The COMPASS system wasn't specifically mentioned, but it wasn't excluded either, so the door is open to discussion on this point. Obviously there are many issues-- both technical and political-- to work out among the key representatives of both countries.

Currently, the U.S. meets with China to discuss GNSS topics under the auspices of the International Telecommunications Union and at the International Committee on GNSS. Additionally, both the US and China are members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and work together on promoting the use of GNSS to expedite intermodal transportation, an important factor in facilitating international trade.

NAVIBIZ: What effect or objective do you expect to reach as you would attend the NaviForum event and make a keynote on behalf of the U.S. government?

Tony: I am deeply honored to have been included in this program. The United States appreciates the opportunity to participate in this prestigious event as we are jointly engaged in the development of an exciting, emerging technology that will transform lives. My objective is to educate and inform our international partners on the U.S. policy and plans for GPS. Simultaneously, I hope to listen and learn more about the approaches, policies and perspectives of those involved in the COMPASS system. This type of regular sharing of information between GNSS providers can only result in better capabilities that benefit all of humankind. The United States wishes to thank the organizers for making this interchange possible and for including us in the program.