Enhanced Loran: Real-time maritime trials

Abstract

Enhanced Loran (eLoran) is rapidly emerging as the primary GNSS backup for the new, global, maritime e- Navigation concept. Europe was ready to turn off all the Loran transmitters at the end of 2005. However, an increased understanding of GNSS vulnerability and a growing appreciation of eLoran's role within e-Navigation has resulted not only in a kiss-of-life for all the transmitters but also in the placing of a 15-year contract for a new Loran station at Anthorn in the United Kingdom. This has been accompanied by the establishment of a new, European eLoran Forum for service providers, real-time differential Loran trials and the funding of doctoral students for fundamental research into eLoran operational concepts. This paper will start by reviewing the motivation for eLoran in the European environment before describing the current status of the Anthorn status as part of the European Loran network. The paper will then report on results of sub-10 m real-time maritime eLoran trials carried out at Harwich as well as ongoing plans for additional trials in the Orkney and Shetland islands in Northern Scotland. The paper will conclude by summarising the way forward for the general lighthouse authorities' eLoran programme.