The Global Positioning System consists of three segments; the Space Segment, Control Segment, and User Segment, commonly known as User Equipment. The communication boundaries that exist between the GPS and other systems, as well as within the GPS itself, are known as interfaces. The primary distinction between the types of interfaces arises from the contractual relationship characteristic to each and the level of program management involvement required to resolve differences in the course of interface definition.
Interface Control Documents
Interfaces are documented in Interface Control Documents. These documents are the formal means of establishing, defining, and controlling interfaces and for documenting detailed interface design definition for the GPS program. For each of the interface types, the ICD typically exists between configuration items to establish and specify interface definition and design. CIs are the contractual responsibility of development, production, and sustainment contractors, who are under the management of their respective government agency program offices.
Interface Specifications are specific types of ICDs. ISs specify a single government office or agency as the only necessary and required approval authority for the document. However, the procedure and the process for development, control, and maintenance is the same for both ICDs and ISs.
Interface Control Working Group
The Interface Control Working Group is a specialized technical working group comprised of appropriate technical representatives from the interfacing activities and other interested participating organizations. The ICWG serves as a forum to develop and provide interface requirements, as well as, focus on interface detail definition and issues. ICWG members include representatives from the GPS Wing, other government agencies and offices, contractors, and other industry organizations. As such, ICWG activities and proceedings are external to the GPS Wing internal procedures. The detailed description and requirements of ICWGs are provided in the GPS ICWG Charter.
ICWGs for documents that are publicly releasable are referred to as Public ICWGs, which are structured the same as the ICWG but with a few additional requirements. The additional requirements include coordinating meetings and documents to the public.
For additional information please mail requests to the GPSW at smc.gperc@losangeles.af.mil.
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