Ch 8. Quasi‐Zenith Satellite System

Chapter Overview:

The Quasi‐Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) is a regional, space‐based positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) system developed by the Japanese government. The main purpose of the system is to enhance PNT capability and performance even in severe environments by using satellite orbit characteristics which can provide PNT signal transmission from high elevation angles. This chapter describes QZSS in a summary form.

Section 8.1 outlines the history and background of the QZSS program and why QZSS is needed in Japan.

Section 8.2 describes the current management structure of QZSS.

Section 8.3 introduces the geodetic and time reference systems employed by QZSS and their alignments with international standards.

Section 8.4 discusses the services provided by QZSS, including comprehensive services that not only provide PNT and augmentation, but also short messaging services with content related to non‐PNT services relevant to the main satellite positioning focus of this book.

Sections 8.5, 8.6, and 8.7 summarize the key characteristics of the QZSS constellation and space segment, ground segment, and signals, respectively.

Finally, Section 8.8 is a brief summary of this chapter.