Location: Editorial

Usage of satellite positioning and navigation system is being driven by innovative applications, push from the vendors developing the end user products and increased sensitivity of the device. One of the areas where the volumes can pick up fast, and we have been hearing about this for long, is through the usage of positioning device in the PDAs or mobile phones. Although we are yet to accept a satellite positioning device which can work indoor, there seems to be significant effort made to push both in the technological development [hardware and software] and market promotion, which makes one feel it is matter of time, when such a device would start having a more meaningful existence.

Recently a state university in US, provided GPS enabled cell phones to the students, which has quite a good number of useful services associated with it. Surely the university will be a good research lab for the GPS-mobile phone manufacturer and service provider. Maybe as an outcome, our apprehension of how effective will it be in providing services inside a large building can be addressed. With companies like Mio, LG, Samsung and others introducing PDAs and Cell Phones with GPS, one is left to wonder the time duration by which these devices and services will acquire a meaningful dimension. Developments of highly sensitive device with minus 160 dBM tracking capability, as per the information could mean tracking inside the building too or in the narrow lanes of city with high rise building on both the sides.

Last month, the positioning and navigation community converged at Bangalore [India] at Location 2006 conference. One of the few things which emerged out was besides technology there are other barriers like awareness and overcoming the inhibitions in the usage of the technology. For many of the countries in this region, this will continue to be a challenge. With cost down to affordable limit and RoI on the positive side, it is now how quickly an institution or an organization adapts them.

As we are on our way to press, we are hearing about the PRN codes of Galileo's GIOVE-A signals being cracked by a group of researchers at Cornell University. It is a good academic exercise. But I have sincere doubts if it is going to have any impact on the development or economic viability of the Galileo. Anything soft or hard can be cracked or hammered, but the spirit will remain intact.