IEC 61108-1-2003 PDF

Full title and description

Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems — Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) — Part 1: Global Positioning System (GPS) — Receiver equipment — Performance standards, methods of testing and required test results. This International Standard specifies the minimum performance requirements, required test methods and test results for shipborne GPS receiver equipment intended for navigational use, including provisions for differential corrections, speed/course outputs and required digital interfaces.

Abstract

IEC 61108-1:2003 defines the performance characteristics and test procedures for GPS receivers used in maritime navigation. It sets minimum accuracy, acquisition and re-acquisition times, update rates and output resolution; requires support for DGPS inputs and specified digital interfaces; and references relevant IMO resolutions and IEC environmental/interface standards to ensure equipment is suitable for shipboard use and testing. The standard supports safe navigational position fixing (WGS-84 coordinates) and provides required test criteria for conformity assessment.

General information

• Status: Published (international standard).
• Publication date: 31 July 2003.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 47.020.70 (Navigation and control equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (IEC 61108-1:2003).
• Number of pages: 57 (base IEC publication).

Scope

This part of IEC 61108 covers the minimum performance standards, methods of testing and required test results for GPS shipborne receiver equipment intended for navigational purposes (ships with maximum speeds not exceeding about 70 knots). It addresses position fixing using GPS SPS signals (WGS‑84), DGPS corrections, generation/output of course over ground (COG), speed over ground (SOG) and UTC, digital interfaces (as appropriate to IEC 61162 series) and environmental/test arrangements referenced to IEC 60945. The standard does not mandate additional computational or display features beyond those that do not degrade required performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Minimum performance requirements for GPS shipborne receivers (position, integrity, availability and continuity).
• Acquisition and re-acquisition times (e.g., acquire to required accuracy within 30 min without almanac, 5 min with valid almanac; re-acquisition requirements after signal or power interruptions).
• Position update rate: at least one new position solution every 1 s (recommendation of 0.5 s for high-speed craft); minimum position resolution 0.001 minute.
• Support for Differential GPS (DGPS) input and processing according to applicable RTCM and ITU-R M.823 recommendations.
• Output requirements for COG, SOG and UTC with associated validity marking; specified accuracy limits for COG and SOG under defined speed ranges.
• Interface and interoperability requirements referencing IEC 61162‑1/‑2 for digital interfaces and IEC 60945 for environmental and general test conditions.
• Test methods and required test records to demonstrate compliance (practical tests using actual GPS signals or suitable simulators, documented test sequences and recorded outputs).

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of maritime GPS receiver equipment, shipyards and integrators, testing and certification laboratories, classification societies, flag administrations, maritime authorities and system integrators to design, verify and certify shipborne GPS receivers for navigational use and to ensure compliance with IMO carriage and performance expectations.

Related standards

IEC 61108-1 is part of the IEC 61108 GNSS series (other parts cover GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, IRNSS, SBAS and shipborne DGPS beacons). It cross-references IEC 60945 (general maritime equipment tests), IEC 61162-1/-2 (digital interfaces / NMEA-like data), relevant IMO resolutions (for carriage and performance requirements) and RTCM/ITU-R recommendations for DGPS inputs.

Keywords

GPS, GNSS, maritime navigation, shipborne receiver, performance standard, DGPS, IEC 61108, acquisition time, update rate, COG, SOG, IEC 60945, IEC 61162, WGS‑84.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61108-1:2003 is an international performance standard that defines minimum requirements, test methods and required test results for GPS shipborne receiver equipment intended for navigational use.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers position-fixing performance (WGS‑84), acquisition/re-acquisition times, update rates and resolution, DGPS input processing, COG/SOG/UTC outputs and test methods (including environmental/test references) to demonstrate conformity for maritime GPS receivers.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, shipbuilders, testing laboratories, classification societies, flag authorities and maritime system integrators use it to design, test, certify and accept GPS receivers for shipboard navigation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61108-1:2003 is the Edition 2.0 publication from 2003; the IEC record lists it as the published edition with an indicated stability target and remains the baseline international text for GPS receiver performance (users should check national/adopted versions or later amendments for regional adoptions or updates).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61108 is a multi-part series addressing GNSS for maritime use; part 1 covers GPS, and other parts address GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, IRNSS, SBAS and shipborne DGPS/DGLONASS beacons.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: GPS, GNSS, maritime navigation, shipborne receiver, DGPS, IEC 61108, performance standards, acquisition time, position update, COG, SOG.