GPS.gov: Technical Documentation

On this page:

Interface Specifications
Performance Standards
Federal Radionavigation Plan
Codeless Access
PRN Code Assignments
Antenna Patterns
Simulator Working Group

On other pages:

This section of the website provides access to all of the information needed to develop and build equipment to use the civilian services of GPS and its augmentations.

It is the official policy of the U.S. government to provide open, free access to such information. Learn more

Interface Specifications

These documents provide detailed information on the civil GPS signals and codes broadcast at the L1, L2, and L5 frequencies. Download current versions of the GPS Interface Specifications and learn about updates being prepared through the Interface Control Working Group (ICWG).

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Performance Standards & Specifications

These documents specify the levels of technical performance that users can expect from GPS and related systems. Download current and past versions of the performance standards for the civil GPS service (SPS), military GPS service (PPS), Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), and U.S. GPS monitoring capabilities.

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Federal Radionavigation Plan

The Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) is the official source of radionavigation policy and planning for the federal government. It covers both terrestrial and space-based, common-use, federally operated radionavigation systems, including GPS and GPS augmentations. Download the current and previous versions of the FRP at the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center website.

View at USCG.gov

Codeless/Semi-Codeless GPS Access Commitments

These documents describe U.S. government commitments to support semi-codeless/codeless civilian access to the current P(Y) signals and the transition to the modernized L2C and L5 signals.

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PRN Code Assignments

The Air Force GPS PRN Coordination Office manages the coordination and issuance of pseudorandom noise (PRN) codes to each GPS satellite and other transmitters of GPS codes at the L1, L2, and L5 frequencies. View current PRN number assignments and apply for a PRN code assignment.

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Satellite Antenna Panel Patterns

These documents describe technical characteristics of the antenna panels on the GPS Block IIR and Block IIR-M satellites. The satellite manufacturer compiled the information based on its design specifications and ground test measurements of the antenna panels.

View at USCG.gov

GPS Satellite Simulator Control Working Group

The Satellite Simulator Control Working Group (SSCWG) is a forum for disseminating technical information to manufacturers of GPS constellation simulators.

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RELATED WEBSITES:

GPS References, Coast Guard Navigation Center

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