![]() If the satellites were much closer to the Earth, their signals would be much stronger. The problem stems from the fact that these medium Earth orbit satellites are far away and their energy is significantly spread out during their passage to Earth. The signals are so weak that they cannot be used reliably where they are obstructed such as indoors or in concrete canyons. But it does have one dominant problem: the weakness of the signals. Speaking of GPS, we all know what a great technology it is, providing the “gold standard” in global satellite navigation. Canada was also an early adopter of GPS and with software and hardware developments by industry, government and academia has made its mark in the world of precision positioning, navigation and timing.Īnother Canadian initiative is the Aerion satellite-based air traffic surveillance system that will use the enhanced low Earth orbit Iridium constellation.Īnd we shouldn’t forget that Canada is slated to provide the search and rescue package for the GPS III satellites. Navy Navigation Satellite System or Transit for one-meter positioning accuracy permitting establishment of geodetic control points such as in Canada’s far north. ![]() In the area of satellite navigation, Canada is known for its development of techniques to use the U.S. And the first satellite to explore the 14/12-GHz band for direct broadcasting to homes and businesses was Canada’s Communications Technology Satellite, dubbed Hermes, launched in January 1976.Īnd, of course, we don’t need to mention the Remote Manipulator System on the International Space Station, commonly known as Canadarm, nor the work of celebrity Canadian astronaut Col. (Anik means “little brother” in Inuktitut.) Eight more Anik satellites were launched subsequently including Anik F1R, which is also used to broadcast Wide Area Augmentation System information to GPS receivers. The first Anik geostationary satellite was launched in November 1972. CASSIOPE carries eight instruments for studying the ionosphere including the University of New Brunswick’s GPS Attitude, Positioning, and Profiling instrument.Ĭanada has also been a leader in satellite communications technology. Several other Canadian ionospheric research satellites have been orbited since including CAScade, Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer or CASSIOPE, launched in September 2013. ![]() Launched by the United States, it was the first satellite to be constructed by a country other than the U.S. The first Canadian satellite, Alouette (French for “skylark”), was launched in September 1962 to study the ionosphere. ![]() There have also been significant Canadian advances in satellite technology. Many other developments in terrestrial communications took place in Canada over the years including microwave repeater technology and shortwave radio broadcasting from the famed transmitter plant (now defunct, unfortunately) established near Sackville, New Brunswick, during World War II. And in 1925, Edward “Ted” Rogers, a Canadian pioneer in the radio industry, invented a radio tube using alternating current that became a worldwide standard in radio circuits. It started on Christmas Eve, 1906, when Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden carried out the first amplitude modulation radio broadcast of voice and music. Other provinces came on board later with the last, Newfoundland and Labrador, joining in 1949.Īpart from my interest in educating all and sundry about the origins of the “true north, strong and free,” what has this got to do with GNSS or allied technologies? Well, it turns out that Canada has played and continues to play an important role in the development of communications and navigation technologies. In 1867, four Canadian provinces, Ontario and Quebec (up to then known as the single Province of Canada), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, joined together to form The Dominion of Canada - the name suggested by New Brunswick’s Sir Leonard Tilley. WHOA CANADA! July 1st marks Canada’s sesquicentennial. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |