Ag Leader Technology Blog

As we discussed earlier this week, the acronym “GNSS” encompasses all satellite navigation networks currently available and in development. The most advanced GNSS networks are GPS and GLONASS.

GPS (Global Positioning System) is the United States’ constellation of 24 satellites, developed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Traditionally, GPS has been the most commonly used navigation system for precision farming. However, as other GNSS become more advanced and accurate, we could rely on additional navigation systems in order to have access to more satellites.

GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the Russian Federation’s GNSS consisting of 23 satellites. GLONASS is quickly becoming a popular supplement to GPS in the U.S. When you are in locations that have poor GPS signals, GLONASS will increase the number of satellites available to help your receiver maintain a strong signal. The newest precision ag receivers will have the capability to communicate with these GLONASS satellites.

While GPS and GLONASS are the most advanced GNSS, several others are in the development process. Galileo, when complete, will be the European GNSS. Galileo will consist of 30 satellites, and the European Space Agency hopes to fully launch Galileo by sometime in 2013. China is currently working on developing a GNSS called Compass, and other countries, including India and Japan, also have GNSS that they are working to develop.

With all of these other systems in development – in addition to the advancements being made to the GNSS currently used – the discussion of GNSS will be changing often. As changes occur that affect our precision farming practices, we will help inform you of these through Lessons in Precision Ag.

Links for more information:

Get the latest news about GNSS – Inside GNSS

Want help understanding GLONASS? PrecisionAg.com’s Paul Schrimpf’s take.

GNSS Benefits over GPS-only for Precision Ag Applications (Alabama Cooperative Extension System)

Other GPS information from Alabama Cooperative Extension System

Tags: ag, Ag Leader, Ag Leader Technology, CLM Precision Agriculture, Galileo, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, global precision ag, GLONASS, GNSS, GPS, international ag, precision farming
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