OMEGA

Omega is a very long-range, very low frequency (VLF) radio navigation system which will provide global coverage for ships and aircraft. Present Omega coverage provides signals which are already the most widely distributed radio navigation aids in the world. A worldwide network of eight stations is planned for completion within the next few years and will provide redundant global coverage. Omega concepts are presented together with the transmission format and station placement. Practical marine navigation is discussed including the use of various charts and tables available from the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office. Realizable accuracy of one to two nautical miles is demonstrated. Omega derives not only its accuracy and reliability but also its limitations from the characteristics of VLF radio propagation. A section describes features of VLF propagation which are related to practical Omega navigation. Ambiguities and methods of ambiguity resolution are discussed. Emphasis is placed on continuity of tracking because of characteristically high system reliability. Special features such as rendezvous accuracy and differential accuracy are discussed. Special applications such as oceanographic survey or velocity determination are mentioned. Advantages for traffic control using a system such as OPLE or PLACE are discussed as are special shorter range systems useful for higher than nominal accuracy, such as Micro-Omega.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2083741
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper presented at National Marine Navigation Meeting 10/14/70
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Navigation

  815 14th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20005
• Authors:
  • Swanson, E R
• Publication Date: 1971

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 168-175
• Serial:
  • Navigation: journal of the Institute of Navigation
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Institute of Navigation
  • ISSN: 0028-1522
  • Serial URL: http://www.ion.org/newsletter/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Navigation; Navigation systems; Omega navigation system; Very low frequency
• Old TRIS Terms: Omega navigation; Vlf navigation
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00019540
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 25 1973 12:00AM