GPS Signals

Critical infrastructure, including air traffic communications, electricity transmission, telecoms networks and emergency services are all under threat from the increasing availability of “GPS jammers”, technology experts are warning. “A portable jammer in a tall building could cover most of London and aircraft approaching its airports,” said Professor David Last, a past president of the Royal Institute of Navigation and now a GPS consultant. Global Positioning System signals, which are extremely delicate, are now relied upon by vital sectors, including transport, just-in-time manufacturing and farming.

Prof Last told a symposium, organized by the Digital Systems Knowledge Transfer Network, that by using GPS a single person could today control a huge vessel sailing in crowded shipping lanes at 25 knots. But as reliance on GPS for such tasks increases, traditional back-up systems are falling into infrequent use and traditional navigational skills are declining, leaving organizations vulnerable to interference with GPS signals.

“The strength of a GPS signal is about as strong as viewing a 25W light bulb from a satellite 10,000 miles away,” said Bob Cockshott, a director of the Digital Systems KTN. “It’s no surprise then that GPS signals are vulnerable to natural and, increasingly, criminal interruptions.” The dangers can be unintentional, caused by solar flares or accidents, or intentional, with a fast-growing criminal element.

Jamming devices that can disrupt GPS signals are sold on the internet for less than £100. Prof Last said they could be used by thieves to block transmissions from stolen vehicles protected by GPS tracking systems, rendering them “invisible”. Crooks might even transmit a false location using a “GPS spoofing” device. "These devices are selling; terrorists have been arrested with them" he told the symposium. “GPS now is like computers before viruses. But there are no big security companies working to protect GPS.”

GPS vulnerability is being investigated by the Guardian project that brings together industry and academia. Charles Curry, managing director of Chronos Technology, is leading the investigation consortium and he believes back-up systems are vital. “Our project creates a network of sensors deployed at sites in the vicinity of applications that rely on the GPS signal. We are then able to monitor any change in the signal due to natural or criminal activity,” he said.

The Royal Institute of Navigation stresses the importance of developing a ground-based back-up to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS): “There is a necessity for robust, terrestrial based systems to provide a concurrent, independent source of position and time information to ensure navigational safety and environmental protection.”

Answer the questions:

1. Why is there a certain threat for air traffic communications, electricity transmission, telecoms networks and emergency services?

2. What sectors are the Global Positioning System signals used in?

3. Today a single person can control a huge vessel sailing in crowded shipping lanes at 25 knots. Is it true or false? Give the reasons why.

4. Why are traditional back-up systems falling into infrequent use?

5. How much strength does a GPS signal have?

6. Why is there a danger dealing with GPS signals?

7. What can thieves do with the help of this means?

8. Can you explain the following point of view: “GPS now is like computers before viruses”

9. What does Charles Curry think? Say some words about the project of his company.

10. What is the point of view of the Royal Institute of Navigation?

2. Translate and explain the meaning of the following Supply Chain Logistics Acronyms using the Internet. Make up sentences with these acronyms:

ABM:Activity Based Management;

ABC:Activity Based Costing;

AOM:Advanced Order Management;

APS:Advanced Planning and Scheduling;

APS:Advanced Planning System;

ASP:Application Services Provider;

ATP:Available to Promise;

BPR:Business Process Reengineering;

BOM:Bill of Materials;

CMI:Co-Managed Inventory;

CPFR:Collaborative Planning and Forecasting Replenishment;

CRP:Continuous Replenishment Program;

CRP:Capacity Requirements Planning;

CRM:Customer Relationship Management;

DRP:Distribution Resources Planning;

DPP:Direct Product Profitability;

ECR:Efficient Customer Response;

EOQ: Economic Order Quantity;

ERP:Enterprise Resource Planning;

FIFO:First in First Out;

FEFO: First Expire First Out;

JIT:Just-In-Time;

LIFO: Last In First Out;

MPS: Master Production Schedule;

MRO: Material Repair and Overhaul;

MRP: Material Requirement Planning;

MRP: Manufacturing Resource Planning;

NIFO: Next In First Out;

OMS: Order Management System;

POS: Point of Sale;

QR: Quick Response;

RMR: Retail Management Replenishment;

SCEM: Supply Chain EventManagement;

SCE: Supply Chain Execution;

SCM: Supply Chain Management;

SCP: Supply Chain Planning;

SKU: Stock-Keeping Unit;

TMS: Transportation Management System;

TQM: Total Quality Management;

VMI: Vendor Managed Inventory;

WIP: Work in Process;

WMS: Warehouse Management System.

3. Make the dialogue: explain the meaning of abbreviations using the following phrases and questions:

1.What do you mean by POS?

2.What is the difference between SCM and SCEM ?

3.What are the specific functions of BPR?

4.What do you understand by CPFR?

5.What is EOQ?

6.What does term Bill of Materials indicate?

APS stands for…..

ECR means……

ERP implies……

UNIT 4