StarFire™

The StarFire™ global subscription service provides real-time accuracy typically better than 5cm (<2 inches). Its globally corrected signal is available virtually anywhere on the Earth’s surface on land or sea, from 72ºN to 72ºS latitude.

To accomplish this, StarFire™ utilizes a network of more than 40 GNSS reference stations around the world to compute GNSS satellite orbit and clock corrections. Two completely redundant processing centers and multiple communication links ensure the continuous availability of StarFire™ GNSS corrections. These corrections are broadcast via geostationary satellites, providing worldwide coverage and enabling precise real-time navigation without the need for local ground base stations.

As an alternative to delivery of corrections via satellites – NavCom offers a StarFire Over IP software option that allows users to access StarFire corrections over the Internet, giving them access to the same reliable five centimeter global positioning accuracy without the need for a base station. Users are able to access StarFire corrections in those situations when satellite delivery might be unavailable, such as deep urban canyons or very high latitude locations.
Methodology

The StarFire Network is a major advance from earlier ground based augmentation systems because it considers each of the GNSS satellite signal error sources independently. GNSS satellite orbit and clock corrections are calculated from a global tracking network of dual frequency receivers. These corrections are transmitted via geo-stationary satellite links direct to StarFire receivers, resulting in minimal data latency and worldwide operation with a minimum 10° look angle to the geostationary satellites. All StarFire receivers use a multi frequency GNSS receiver that measures the ionospheric delay for each satellite. Tropospheric zenith delays are calculated from a multi-state time and position model aided by redundant satellite observables.
Reliability

Redundant data links, geographically separated processing hubs, and dual satellite uplink equipment ensure continuous reliable positioning. The system is inherently robust, with the ability to calculate a full set of corrections even if multiple reference stations were to become unavailable. With an uptime of 99.999%, customers can be confident of the global availability and accuracy of the system.