The Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) utilizing ATSC 3.0 infrastructure, has been recently proposed, tested, and implemented as a cost effective highly beneficial terrestrial alternative to GPS for timing services with possible extended use for position and navigation services.  This paper presents a real-world analysis of potential BPS coverage in several regions in the US to demonstrate the capabilities of delivering these services with existing TV transmission infrastructure.  We examine the robustness of the BPS system, provide coverage maps showing any limitations for a timing service, and review what might be needed for its use for reliable positioning and navigation.  

 
Objectives

• Calculate how the BPS signal will be received in a typical regional area based on actual transmission infrastructure.
• Determine feasibility and accuracy of BPS when used for positioning and navigation.
• Identify BPS error sources and quantify their effects.
• Evaluate three or four markets that have very different characteristics.

Methodology

• Understand required SNR for BPS signal reception.
• Collect transmitter, population, and terrain data.
• Model RF coverage and overlap using propagation tools.
• Evaluate error sources and their effects.
• Calculate timing service receivability.
• Simulate positioning accuracy for given infrastructure.
• Repeat for other regions.

Expected Outcomes

• Understand effects of regional terrain variations and locations of infrastructure on BPS timing service reliability.
• Understand infrastructure needs for positioning and navigation services.
• Define necessary receive configurations to increase reliability.

 
Significance

Add real-world information to the coverage predictions made to date for BPS and quantify their effects on system reliability.  Evaluate BPS use for positioning and navigation services.