GPS UPDATE
AIRFORCE SPACE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE ON Y2K TESTING OF GPS CONSTELLATION
"The upcoming test is the second Y2K tests slated for the GPS system. The first test occurred from late April to mid May and successfully tested GPS satellites Block II and IIAs" ...
navcen.uscg.mil
Another take on SAME test.
In April, the Space Command experienced problems when it conducted a test on one of the 24 satellites in the GPS constellation. Scientific institutions that belong to the International GPS Service (IGS), which maintains a worldwide network of 200 GPS receivers that measure tectonic plate movements and provide centimeter-level accuracy to surveyors, reported widespread problems during the April tests. "A disturbingly large number of receivers in the global network had problems,'' one user told Federal Computer Week.
Message 10002428
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GPS USERS
Users of the Global Positioning System (GPS) should be aware of two important dates: Aug. 22, 1999, the "End-of-Week" (EOW) rollover; and Jan. 1, 2000 (Y2K).
dot.gov
Timing errors due to the lack of synchronization, in fact, can lead to data loss and degradation and eventually to network disruption or even complete failures. Because of the interconnective and interdependent nature of networks, these problems, in turn, could impact other networks and even the Internet.
As a result, it is vital that organizations make an effort to determine(1) whether the networks they operate rely on GPS equipment as a time source and (2) the potential GPS-related risks.
Once the problem and its potential impact are known, organizations and individual users can (1) modify receivers, (2) replace them with newer models, or (3) contact their service providers to ensure that GPS receivers supporting their telecommunications networks are not susceptible to the upcoming end-of-week rollover...
house.gov
FROM A GPS MANUFACTURER ...
GPS manufacturers are unable to predict with absolute certainty the precise manner in which GPS and associated firmware, software and systems will actually perform as a result of the Y2K and WNRO events.
Regardless of the manufacturer, Trimble recommends extreme caution in any situation in which a product's failure or inaccuracy would pose any risk of injury, damage or loss to persons, property or critical data.
In these cases, Trimble recommends that GPS not be relied upon at, after, or within the week before the Y2K and WNRO date rollovers, and until robust and accurate performance following the rollovers is conclusively established. Use of GPS products during these events is potentially hazardous.
trimble.com
Cheryl
About 40 days until GPS "end-of-week" rollover
172 days until 2000
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