Indian GPS NavIC to be linked to Aadhaar enrolment devices

  • August 11, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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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.
Indian GPS NavIC to be linked to Aadhaar enrolment devices Science and tech