APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2
1. Pseudorandom Noise (PRN) Code Assignment Background ..................................................... 3
2. Process Overview ........................................................................................................................ 4
3. Request for a PRN Code Assignment ......................................................................................... 5
4. Review of a PRN Code Assignment Application ....................................................................... 5
5. Retention of a PRN Code Assignment ........................................................................................ 9
6. Modification of a PRN Code Assignment ................................................................................ 10
7. GPS PRN Coordination Office Contact Information ................................................................ 10
Appendix A: Application for PRN Code Assignment .................................................................. 11
1. Pseudorandom Noise (PRN) Code Assignment Background
1.1. Intro. Many national and international radionavigation systems seek a high level of
interoperability with GPS, including the use of PRN codes from the spreading code families
developed for GPS. Signals that employ PRN codes from the GPS spreading code families
achieve an established level of code performance, including compatibility and
interoperability with GPS. Additionally, the use of PRN codes from the GPS spreading code
families fosters the development of receivers capable of seamlessly using signals from
multiple radionavigation systems. The resulting compatibility and interoperability are
beneficial to all systems using GPS PRN codes.
1.2. Definition of Terms. In this document, the term subject system will refer to the system
transmitting GPS PRN codes. Common examples of a subject system would be a regional
satellite navigation system or a satellite payload leased by an SBAS service provider. The
term applicant will refer to the requesting agency or sponsoring government administration
that is either operating the subject system or acting as the SBAS service provider.
1.3. Scope. The procedures established in this document apply to systems other than GPS
planning to transmit GPS-like signals using one or more of the following PRN codes: L1
Coarse/Acquisition (C/A)-code, L2 Civil-Moderate (L2 CM)-code, L2 Civil-Long (L2 CL)-
code, L5 In-Phase (L5 I5)-code, L5 Quadrature-Phase (L5 Q5)-code, L1 Civil-Pilot (L1C
P
),
and L1 Civil-Data (L1C
D
) as defined in IS-GPS-200, IS-GPS-705, and IS-GPS-800. While
this process is most commonly used by SBAS service providers, this application process
should also be followed by other applicants.
1.4. PRN Definitions. The GPS Pseudorandom Noise spreading codes are defined in IS-GPS-
200, IS-GPS-705, and IS-GPS-800 for L1 and L2C, L5, and L1C, respectively. Baseline sets
of PRN codes are reserved exclusively for use by GPS satellites. Additional sets of PRN
codes are defined for use by cooperating radionavigation systems. A PRN code set consists
of a matching quadruplet of distinct PRN codes for each of the GPS L1, L2, and L5 civil
signals. See Table 1 for a summary of the various PRN allocations.