GPS Workshop a Success

Over 120 individuals attended the Global Positioning System (GPS) Workshop that was held at OSU on Thursday, March 17, 2011.  The workshop was co-sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the College of Engineering.

Moderator, Dr. Dorota Brzezinska, kicked off the session stating that "OSU is the Silicon Valley of Navigation." The three invited speakers, Dr. John Betz, Mr. Edward Martin and Mr. Anthony Russo, gave excellent talks about the Global Positioning System (GPS), which has become the backbone of navigation, geo-location and timekeeping throughout the world. Mr. Martin discussed how and when the GPS concept was conceived, the evolution of GPS since the early days, and described the challenges faced by the program throughout its development. He stressed the importance that GPS was created as a team effort of many individuals and organizations. Mr. Russo discussed the present configuration and current status of GPS, as well as the US policies regarding the operation, modernization and availability of GPS. He briefly covered the issue that he is dealing with now about the 4G network band being located next to the L1 band used for GPS, and what challenges this may have for the GPS community in the future. Dr. Betz provided a thoughtful discussion on his thoughts for the future direction of GPS, as well as the technical innovations and potential future applications of GPS. For example, one area where GPS would play a large role in the future is in the area of aviation safety. Additional information on key activities on GPS can be found at http://gps.gov/.

Two of the talks (Russo and Betz) are available for downloading at: http://www.pnt.gov/public/2011/03/ohio/

[ibimage==508==standard_large==none==self==ibimage_Left]Dorota Brzezinska (moderator)

Ed Martin (speaker)

Tony Russo (speaker)

John Betz (speaker)

Jiti Gupta

[ibimage==510==standard_medium==none==self==ibimage_Left][ibimage==509==standard_medium==none==self==ibimage_Right]Attendees at the workshop.