GPS Rollover- What it is and how can Concord Electronics help?

Where are you? Where are you going? And what is GPS rollover?

As a yacht owner, operator, or captain you rely on GPS, or the Global Positioning System, to provide an accurate position-within meters- of where your yacht is and how to get to your destination. Are you aware of the upcoming GPS rollover and the effect it could possibly have on you and your boat?  And how Concord Marine Electronics can help?

 

Yacht electronics rely on GPS for navigation- Concord Marine Electronics provides expert sales, service, support.

What is GPS Rollover?

• GPS relies on time- satellites transmit the precise time to a receiver, and the receiver needs to understand and use that precise, millisecond time.
• The GPS receiver downloads the time in equipment-friendly format- week/second- and then processes that data into user-friendly format- year/month/day/hour/minute/second.
• The GPS satellite language or code has a hard internal limit- 1024 weeks and then a new cycle starts. That's where the term "rollover" comes from- your GPS equipment must be able to roll over to a new week cycle.

And the effect on me?

That depends. If your older equipment can’t understand the rollover, it will immediately be 19.7 years out of sync with the GPS system. Critical systems, like yacht navigation, will throw potentially massive errors which could lead to wrong decisions about course and position.

Yacht Navigation- GPS and Concord Marine Electronics

If your equipment is new, or has been able to process firmware updates, your GPS receivers should be ready. Some manufacturers have built this functionality into their devices, and some rely on an update procedure. Some update processes require inserting and running a USB memory stick, and some receivers require manual input.

What do I do?

Newer receivers should be fine. But, due to the critical nature of a GPS error in yacht navigation, verifying the ability to properly react to the GPS rollover is important.  

First, get your specific device information- manufacturer, model, serial number. Check with the manufacturer for a certificate of compliance. If your equipment manufacturer cannot verify that your receiver will process the rollover, or suggests testing, Concord Marine Electronics has the equipment, training, and knowledge to ensure navigational accuracy after the GPS rollover. 

Concord technicians understand the process and the importance of removing any doubt that your GPS receiver remains accurate and reliable.    Concord, as a Certified NMEA Master Dealer, works closely with all major manufacturers, like Furuno, Raymarine, Simrad,Boning, and Garmin  and already has their recommendations in hand on specific models. Some legacy or older models should be replaced, and some will require specific procedures for update and testing, including simulations and other manufacturer-level diagnostic and programming. 

Concord Marine Electronics is ready.

Want to be sure of where you are and how to get to your destination after the GPS rollover? Contact Concord Marine Electronics for consultation or service. Concord can ensure your ability to smoothly transition to the new GPS cycle- please call us at +1 954-779-1100 or email our service or engineering staff. Concord doesn’t just sell equipment- we are a team of customer service specialists trained and experienced in yacht navigation electronics and we have the tools, diagnostic equipment, and training to make sure your equipment is ready for the change.

For a complete description of Concord Marine Electronics' yacht navigation sales and support, visit our Navigation web page.

Concord Marine Electronics - GPS navigation sales, service, support