GPS Week Rollover: Possible malfunction of GPS signal receivers in early April

If using a GPS receiver of any kind is part of your daily routine, you should be aware that you may experience problems on April 6th.

ΌIt seems that the coming April is gaining importance for GPS similar to January 2000 when everyone thought that the "millennium virus" (or millennium bug) would reset all computers's clocks due to the transition to 01/01/00 which they may not have "perceived" the systems as valid. Something similar happens in the case of GPS receivers (Global Positioning System).

The GPS Week Rollover that is going to happen is due to the way the navigation signals work. GPS satellites and ground stations use a common time, GPS Time, so they can pinpoint any geographical location. The problem starts with calculating the system weeks. The number of each week is encoded in a signal message received from the satellites using a 10bit field. In this way it has been coded every week from 0 to 1023. This system started on the 22nd of August 1999 and on the 6th of April 2019 (Saturday) this cycle is completed and a new counting cycle should start from 0 again until 1023.

According to reputable analysts, state-of-the-art GPS receivers are unlikely to be affected. However, after tests conducted by the US Department of Homeland Security (the infamous Department of Homeland Security or DHS), it appeared that some devices could be returned during January 6, 1980, or some other incorrect date.

In addition to the possibility of the GPS receiver starting to report the wrong time, the real problem is located as soon as the exact time is necessary to determine the geographical location. It is indicative that even a wrong nanosecond in GPS can be the cause of a deviation of some measures, consider the deviation to be for years. For this reason DHS has issued relevant instructions.

Essentially, these guidelines warn the public and organizations to take all necessary steps to understand the situation, to explore possible alternatives so that if a problem arises they are not completely dependent on their receivers and of course to upgrade their firmware. their devices (if this is outdated). It is indicative that GPS simulators were created, such as LabSat 3, so that those interested can prepare for the upcoming GPS Week Rollover.

It should be noted that the problem is known, as it is an integral part of how the system works. It is considered unlikely that ordinary users will be affected, especially those who use the GPS receiver of the smartphone since these devices usually receive regular software upgrades. The problem is mainly found in users who have, for example, a GPS in their vehicle in which its software has not been upgraded. An even bigger problem may arise for organizations (public and private) that have large fleets of vehicles and are highly dependent on GPS.

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