Satellite-Based Augmentation System and DGPS - UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

INTRODUCTION

Background Study

Global positioning system (GPS) is widely applied in marine navigation, providing location information for ensuring safety, route optimization, fleet management, and compliance with international maritime regulations. However, Single-point positioning (SPP) from GPS faced limitations regarding the accuracy for marine navigation due to the errors. There are need to minimize the errors which is Differential Global positioning system (DGPS) are utilized to give correction to the receivers positional accuracy (Yazair, 2022).

DGPS works by utilizing a network of fixed ground-based reference stations that monitor GPS signals, calculate correction, and then broadcast correction data to nearby GPS receivers. This correction data helps mitigate various sources of GPS errors, such as atmospheric errors leading to more accurate and reliable positioning in marine navigation which is vital for safe navigation (Yazair et al., 2019). However, radio-link DGPS is faced with several limitations in communications, such as those encountered when traveling to remote regions beyond terrestrial signal coverage or within oceanic areas where it is difficult to maintain reliable signal transmission. This puts a limit on the extent and continuity of DGPS correction coverage (Specht, Pawelski, et al., 2019).

To tackle this issue, commercial Satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) can be used as an option for transmitting DGPS correction. Commercial SBAS are subscription-based services that provide DGPS correction. Commercial SBAS providers like OmniSTAR deliver corrections via geostationary satellites using L-band frequency signals, achieving decimeter-level positioning. These systems are widely used in maritime navigation. However, limitations include subscription costs,

dependency on Geostationary satellite location will affect the coverage of DGPS correction especially in polar regions (Lin et al., 2024).

In this regard, satellite communication serves as an ideal solution for transmitting DGPS correction via satellite communication data across vast and maritime regions. Internet-Based satellite communication eliminates the need for tracking and provide extensive correction coverage, making them ideal for broadcasting DGPS correction data via internet connections through providers like Inmarsat, OmniTRACS, Intelsat, and Thuraya. Satellite communication systems like Thuraya support the real-time DGPS corrections through the Network Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol (NTRIP), ensuring consistent and precise positioning for marine navigation (Lacarra et al., 2023).

Problem Statement

Accurate and reliable navigation is crucial in the marine environment, where SPP may not provide the level of precision needed for safe and efficient maritime navigation operations. SPP from GPS suffers from errors caused by factors such as atmospheric error, multipath error, and other errors. This can lead to navigation inaccuracies, particularly in challenging maritime conditions, resulting in potential safety risks in marine navigation which is DGPS can improve accuracy within 1 meter to 3 meter (Seddiki et al., 2022; Yazair, 2022). The DGPS improves accuracy but has certain limitations that require access to of ground reference stations. In addition, availability of DGPS coverage using radio-link can be limited in remote or offshore areas due to topography obstacles (Razak et al., 2018). There are two alternatives to overcome these limitations, which are the commercial SBAS and SBAS DGPS. Commercial SBAS like omniSTAR provides reliable corrections, but its services required subscription, and its correction coverage didn’t cover polar regions. SBAS DGPS, however, uses satellite communication like Thuraya which utilized internet to transmit corrections. Even thou commercial SBAS offer reliability but its required subscription and not very cost effective, and their coverage is determined by the

location of their respective geostationary satellite and didn’t cover polar region (Specht, 2022). On other hand SBAS DGPS system enables the transmission of corrections with the aid of satellite communication such as Thuraya to transmitted correction via NTRIP in large coverage of marine area. The users can received DGPS correction as long as user can access the internet in any region (Han et al., 2024).

Research Questions

Upon completion, this study is anticipated to provide answers to several inquiries. This encompasses: -

1. How the performance of SBAS DGPS in marine navigation?

1. What is the impact of network disruptions or connectivity issues on the performance of SBAS DGPS in marine environments?

Research Goal

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of SBAS DGPS to support marine navigation

Research Objectives

The objectives of the research are:

• To demonstrate the use of SBAS DGPS in marine

• To assess the performance of SBAS

Thesis Outline

This research is divided into five chapters. All chapters in this study are dependent on one another. This means, the previous chapter must be understandable before proceeding with the new one. The outlines for each chapter are discussed below:

Chapter 1 (Introduction): This chapter describes and focuses overall on research study and the aim and objectives in this study.

Chapter 2 (Literature Review): This chapter is divided into sub-topics of the main studies. Simply it discusses the fact and how to realize it in term of by referring to another journal and paper.

Chapter 3 (Research Methodology): This chapter explains about the methods how to obtain and the result and analysis. To answer the objectives and achieve the aim of the studies.

Chapter 4 (Results and Discussion): The chapter is divided into three (3) sections, where each of them presents the results and analysis for each objective.

Chapter 5 (Conclusion): Summarize the research work and draws some conclusion and recommendations.

Summary of Assessment Requirements

The assessment required students to produce a structured research-based report on the application of SBAS DGPS in marine navigation. The key pointers included:

• Introduction : Establishing background, importance of GPS and DGPS, limitations of single-point positioning, and justification for exploring SBAS DGPS.

• Problem Statement : Highlighting the need for more accurate and reliable navigation in marine environments and the shortcomings of existing systems like radio-link DGPS and commercial SBAS.

• Research Questions : Focusing on SBAS DGPS performance and the effect of connectivity issues in marine environments.

• Research Goal and Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness of SBAS DGPS in supporting accurate navigation.

• Thesis Outline : Structuring the work into five chapters — Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion.

The report needed to demonstrate an understanding of marine navigation challenges, critically analyze SBAS DGPS as a solution, and present findings in a clear, academic format.

Step-by-Step Approach by the Academic Mentor

The academic mentor guided the student through the process systematically:

Step 1: Understanding the Background

• The mentor encouraged the student to start with a broad overview of GPS and DGPS, narrowing down to the issues in maritime navigation.

• Guidance was provided to ensure the student linked real-world applications (e.g., fleet management, safety, compliance) with the limitations of SPP.

Step 2: Framing the Problem Statement

• The mentor helped the student articulate why accuracy matters in marine navigation.

• Errors in GPS (e.g., atmospheric, multipath) were contextualized with risks in navigation, helping form a clear rationale for the research.

Step 3: Defining Research Questions and Objectives

• Together, they identified focused research questions, such as SBAS DGPS performance and the role of connectivity.

• The mentor stressed that research objectives should be achievable and measurable, refining them to demonstrating SBAS DGPS usage and assessing its performance.

Step 4: Structuring the Literature Review

• The student was guided to explore existing studies on DGPS, commercial SBAS, and satellite communication methods.

• The mentor highlighted the importance of comparing subscription-based SBAS limitations with SBAS DGPS advantages like NTRIP correction delivery.

Step 5: Research Methodology

• The mentor explained how methodology should outline how data is obtained, analyzed, and validated.

• The student was instructed to detail the process for testing SBAS DGPS performance in marine contexts and methods for evaluating connectivity disruptions.

Step 6: Results and Discussion

• The mentor guided the student to present findings clearly, linking results back to the research objectives.

• Discussions emphasized both the strengths and limitations of SBAS DGPS, ensuring a critical evaluation rather than a descriptive summary.

Step 7: Conclusion and Recommendations

• The mentor showed how to summarize key findings, re-emphasizing SBAS DGPS effectiveness while acknowledging challenges.

• Recommendations were encouraged to focus on practical improvements and future research opportunities.

Final Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved

Through this structured guidance, the student produced a coherent research report that:

• Demonstrated deep understanding of GPS limitations and the role of DGPS in improving accuracy.

• Analyzed the practical challenges of radio-link DGPS and commercial SBAS.

• Evaluated SBAS DGPS as a modern solution using satellite communication and NTRIP protocol.

• Developed critical thinking skills by comparing alternatives and discussing limitations.

• Strengthened academic writing by following a clear five-chapter structure.

Learning Objectives Covered:

1. Research Skills : Identifying, reviewing, and synthesizing academic sources.

2. Analytical Thinking : Evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of marine navigation systems.

3. Problem-Solving : Proposing satellite-based alternatives for accuracy improvements.

4. Academic Writing : Structuring a thesis-style report with clear sections and logical flow.

5. Application of Theory to Practice : Relating technical systems (DGPS, SBAS, satellite communication) to real-world navigation challenges.

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