scope:

This document describes the ground and flight testing to be accomplished for a specific radio navigation aid. This volume addresses GNSS systems, and while maintaining the same format as Volume I, it adopts a change in philosophy to focus on total system performance rather than concentrating on detailed measurement of individual parameters.

Information is provided on measurement practices and special test equipment; however, it is not intended to recommend certain models of equipment, but rather to provide general information relative to the systems under consideration.

System testing is addressed in this document in general terms. System testing is normally done as part of design and development activities, prior to volume production and individual site installations. System testing includes design qualification testing, operational test and evaluation, and "shakedown" tests.

In this document, the terms "testing" and "inspection" have the following meanings:

- Testing: A specific measurement or check of facility performance that may form a part of an inspection when integrated with other tests.

- Inspection: A series of tests carried out by a State authority or an organization as authorized by the State to establish the operational classification of the facility.

GNSS navigation relies on real-time calculation of satellite and augmentation system information to determine position relative to the World Geodetic System - 1984 (WGS-84) geodetic reference datum. Testing is accomplished by dividing the GNSS architecture into the space-to-earth signals, from core satellite constellation(s), augmentation information and signals and procedure definition, including the integrity of thenavigation database.

Operation of the core satellite constellation elements, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS), is the responsibility of States or the designated authority providing the service. In general these elements are not tested as part of the ground or flight testing of a particular procedure. The exception is the confirmation that the spectrum used is free from harmful interference. Throughout the tests described, accuracy of the space-to-earth signals is not measured.

Augmentation systems external to the aircraft, such as the satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) and the ground-based augmentation system (GBAS), are evaluated in accordance with this manual. Where particular performance is required by SARPs, appropriate ground and flight tests are described. The aircraft-based augmentation system (ABAS) is considered to be the subject of airworthiness certification and this volume provides for testing of ABAS-based procedures rather than this system testing.

The design of procedures requires the coding of geodetic information in a form usable by the on-board navigation system. Tests are described for the assessment of procedures for their data accuracy and operational suitability. Verification of data is limited to point of publication in the State's Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and does not take account of errors introduced by data packaging and distribution organizations. Data verification does include systems which transmit the data set as part of an augmentation system.