LightSquared 4G Networks Jams GPS Receivers – Outlook negative
Initial independent testing from the FCC regarding the interference of LIghtSquared’s terrestrial LTE towers indicate that severe jamming and loss of location fix for GPS receivers occurred as far away as 1/8 of a mile from the tower. The testing was done an an air force base in New Mexico involving first responders (police, fire, ambulance) using standard GPS equipment.
This isn’t a good result on a business plan that is already suspicious at best in a frequency band that is an anomaly for wireless. Looking forward to the marketing spin from LightSquared executives.
June 20, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Since back in January, the interference was blocking gps for 12 miles, that would seem to indicate they’ve got the problem under control and the complete solution isn’t far away now.
regards,
Joe
June 20, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Joe, thanks for the posting. I think the issue is the Light Squared has stated already it has tried to put some type of filtering on the output of the transmitters and while it may have reduced the range of the interference, it hasn’t stopped the interference. I can understand their perspective of the GPS receiver needing modifications but that is unrealistic given the tens of millions of GPS devices already in use. Also the delay in their report to the FCC would indicate that things are not as they should be and they are scrambling to present something feasible to the FCC in their report. Earl