Indian GPS NavIC to be linked to Aadhaar enrolment devices

Indian GPS NavIC to be linked to Aadhaar enrolment devices

Subject: Science And technology

Section: Space technology 

NavIC Satellite Navigation for Aadhaar Enrolment Devices

• NavIC, India’s satellite navigation system, replacing American GPS in Aadhaar kits.
• Department of Space (DoS) facilitating field trials and technical input for device procurement.

NavIC: India’s Independent Satellite Navigation System

• NavIC, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
• NavIC comprises 7 active satellites, consisting of 3 geostationary and 4 geosynchronous satellites.
• The first satellite, IRNSS-1A, launched in July 2013, followed by the eighth, IRNSS-1I, in April 2018.
• Designated as NavIC by India’s Prime Minister in 2016.
• In 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) acknowledged NavIC’s capabilities for operations in the Indian Ocean Region.

NavIC’s Services and Coverage Area

• NavIC offers Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilians and Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users.
• Services are available in L5 and S bands (1176.45 MHz and 2498.028 MHz).
• NavIC covers India and extends 1,500 km beyond its borders.
• Newer satellites to include the L1 band for civilian use.

Integration into Mobile Phones and 5G Handsets

• Indian government urging cell phone makers to incorporate NavIC compatibility.
• Hardware alterations are needed for NavIC integration into 5G handsets.
• Industry shows readiness for NavIC integration in upcoming 5G devices.

NavIC’s Role in Disaster Management

• National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) uses NavIC for alert dissemination during natural disasters.
• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) broadcasting oceanic alerts using NavIC.

Setting NavIC Standards and Interoperability

• Collaboration with standards bodies for defining NavIC interoperability.
• Organizations involved include BIS, TSDSI, TEC, 3GPP, RTCM, IEC, and ISO.
• Efforts aimed at establishing comprehensive NavIC standards.

Why India Is Pushing Smartphone Makers To Support NavIC?

• India promoting NavIC to reduce dependence on foreign-controlled navigation systems like GPS.
• NavIC was developed to ensure navigation access in hostile situations.
• The government wants NavIC compatibility in tech devices before expanding its coverage globally.
• NavIC Grand Challenge launched for Indian startups to adopt NavIC as a geo-positioning solution.

How Government Is Pushing NavIC Adoption

• NavIC is used in public vehicle tracking systems for enhanced monitoring.
• NavIC-based vehicle trackers were made mandatory for commercial vehicles by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Updated drone rules make NavIC mandatory for drone usage in India.

Chipsets Supporting India’s NavIC Navigation System

• Qualcomm launches NavIC-compatible chipsets including Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765.
• New Snapdragon SoCs, Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, support multiple navigation systems including NavIC.

Why Some Countries Are Looking Beyond GPS?

• Countries exploring and deploying their own satellite navigation systems.
• Russia’s GLONASS, European Union’s Galileo, China’s BeiDou, and Japan’s QZSS (Regional) as examples.
• The shift from reliance on GPS for enhanced positioning capabilities.