Raytheon, USA has completed the final system acceptance test to augment standard GPS signals over India. The latest test of the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation-Technology Demonstration System, or GAGAN-TDS, is a milestone in the worldwide transition to satellitebased navigation for civil aviation. When completed, GAGAN will join other space-based augmentation systems in providing worldwide, precise navigation, substantially boosting safety, efficiency, and capacity across India and the surrounding region. www.prnewswire.com

Expressing concern over the recent rape and murder of a call centre employee in Pune allegedly by the cab driver, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) in India has suggested that the Government make installation of GPS mandatory in all the cabs being employed by industries where women work in night shifts. www.hindu.com

Tokyo police officers working at "koban" police boxes will have GPS-equipped mobile phones by next year to keep track of their location, allowing for faster response times to emergencies. The plan comes after an incident last August where a policeman in Tachikawa City shot an acquaintance and himself to death after he went missing while on duty. www.allheadlinenews.com

According to IDEAS-FIND survey, GPS navigation is used by 37% of all car drivers in Taiwan, the highest proportion among three types of in-car electronic devices. The survey shows that GPS navigation and digital TV channels or video on demand have considerable market potential in Taiwan. www.digitimes.com

CTT-Net of Korea is launching the first navigation devices to use Immersion's TouchSense technology, which offers tactile feedback for touchscreens. These products for the Korean market include the CSN-7040, a handheld navigation device, and the CIN-7000, a built-in car navigation device. Both feature a 7-inch touchscreen and a direct multimedia broadcast (DMB) receiver for accepting satellite downloads. These products help improve usability and reduces 'glance time' whilst driving. techdigest.tv

Singapore Land Authority has developed a new service called SLA Mobile Services - a suite of mobile solutions to cater to surveyors who are constantly on the move. This service gives them instant access to survey control point information through their mobile phones on location wherever they are, without having to access the internet.

Hemisphere GPS, has been recently awarded two new patents for innovative technology.

The ‘Method and System for Synchronizing Multiple Tracking Devices for a Geo-Location System’ patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,292,186). ‘Attitude Determination Exploiting Geometry Constraints’ patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,292,185)

SUUNTO Finland have given the distribution rights for INDIA of SUUNTO range of products to M/s A&S CREATIONS, New Delhi who are in business of selling GPS and other location based devices to Military and Civil customers. Suunto remains the world’s largest compass manufacturer.

One of the three Glonass satellites launched into orbit last month was put into operation, bringing the current number of usable satellites in the constellation to 10, according to the Russian Space Agency. Another two satellites will be put into service very soon. sidt.gpsworld.com

The US military is working on superpowerful updates to its GPS satellite navigation technology to try to trump the rival European Galileo project which just received key funding. In July it made a 1.8 billion-dollar call for offers for companies to make the first installment of eight satellites in the GPS III range. According to Lockheed Martin, one of the firms manufacturing the GPS devices, the Air Force was expected to award this contract early in 2008. afp.google.com

China’s anti-satellite and space warfare program includes plans to destroy or incapacitate ‘every enemy space vehicle’ that passes over China. The annual report of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, listed among Beijing’s goals that of ensuring that Chinese space weapons are “conducted covertly so China can maintain a positive international image.” The Chinese also plan to attack U.S. GPS satellites through various means, including anti-satellite weapons, high-energy weapons, highenergy weather monitoring rockets and ground attacks on earth-based stations. One section of the report said, there was a need for more information about Chinese activities and intentions. www.worldtribune.com