The United States has offered free worldwide position, navigation, and timing (PNT) broadcast data through the Global Positioning System (GPS) since its 1993 initial operations capable declaration, and periodic modernization efforts have been made throughout its 20-year history. A planned modernized L5 safety of life GPS signal, combined with the current GPS-enabled device ubiquity, offers an unprecedented opportunity to embed and broadcast other non-PNT information into GPS signals and reach individuals on a global scale with information in new ways. Adequate additional bandwidth exists in the new L5 safety of life signal to embed notification information for worldwide natural and technological disasters and add a new communication medium for a possible global disaster notification system. This thesis explores the background, requirements, system design and U.S. policy of a disaster-notification enabled GPS L5 safety of life signal.http://archive.org/details/globalpositionin1094537592Captain, United States Air ForceApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited
