CLASIFICATION

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System

(EPLRS) Positioning Capability
Gary Fielke
Electronic Warfare and Radar Division
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
DSTO-TN-0762
ABSTRACT
The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a network of wireless
tactical radios that distributes digital data between many mobile users. In addition,
EPLRS has a position reporting capability allowing mobile users to determine their
position based on time difference of arrival measurements from multiple reference
radio units.
EPLRS has the potential to be used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a navigation
system backup to GPS. This report details a number of EPLRS position tests conducted
at DSTO Edinburgh and the outcome of these tests with a view to UAV usage.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

DSTO-TN-0762

Published by
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
PO Box 1500
Edinburgh South Australia 5111
Telephone: (08) 8259 5555
Fax: (08) 8259 6567
Commonwealth of Australia 2007
AR-013-931
June 2007

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

DSTO-TN-0762

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System

(EPLRS) Positioning Capability

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a network of wireless
tactical radios that distributes digital data between many mobile users. EPLRS also has
a position reporting capability allowing mobile users to determine their position based
on time difference of arrival measurements from multiple reference radio units.
A series of EPLRS position tests were conducted in and around the DSTO Edinburgh
site. Using up to 5 EPLRS reference units with good reference station geometry
resulted in an average bias of 32 27 m. With poor reference station geometry, the
average bias increased to 60 61 m, although this was based on a very small data set.
Due most likely to building obscuration and multipath, there were a number of
inconsistencies in the positioning results.
The EPLRS position reporting capability has the potential to be used as a backup to
GPS, in such platforms as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). An EPLRS Micro-Light
unit has been used in a UAV for extending tactical communication range and could be
utilised for position determination also.
Integrating the EPLRS position solution into the avionics of the UAV will allow
switching between GPS and EPLRS for the source of position data depending on the
environment and system requirements. This option could allow navigation of the UAV
in a GPS-denied environment or whilst deploying GPS denial payloads.

DSTO-TN-0762

Contents
ACRONYMS

vii

1.

INTRODUCTION

2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4

EPLRS
Introduction
Position Location
Position Data
Gumstix

1
1
3
3
3

3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

EPLRS POSITION TESTS AND RESULTS

Tests
Results
Gumstix Test
Results Summary
Operational Issues

5
5
7
8
9
9

4.

SUMMARY

10

5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

11

6.

REFERENCES

11

APPENDIX A:

EPLRS POSITION PLOTS

12

Table 1: EPLRS Test Results

Figure 1: Vehicle Mounted and Micro-Light EPLRS

Figure 2: EPLRS Micro-Light installed in UAV

Figure 3: Gumstix Module

Figure 4: Proposed Air-to-Ground Communications over EPLRS for EPLRS Position 5

Figure 5: EPLRS Reference Unit sites (S1-5) and Mobile Unit sites (V1-3)

DSTO-TN-0762

Figure 6: EPLRS and Gumstix Test Setup

Figure 7: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units (1 of 2)

12

Figure 8: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units (2 of 2)

13

Figure 9: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 4 reference units

14

Figure 10: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 3 reference units

15

Figure 11: V2 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

16

Figure 12: V3 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

17

Figure 13: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

18

Figure 14: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 4 reference units

19

Figure 15: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 3 reference units

20

Figure 16:Dynamic Tests with 5 reference RS units

21

DSTO-TN-0762

Acronyms
DSTO

Defence Science and Technology Organisation

ENM

EPLRS Network Manager

EPLRS

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System

GPS

Global Positioning System

ICD

Interface Control Document

IP

Internet Protocol

JVMF

Joint Variable Message Format

PLGR

Portable Lightweight GPS Receiver

RS

Radio Set (EPLRS)

UAV

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

DSTO-TN-0762

1. Introduction
The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a network of wireless
tactical radios that distributes digital data between many mobile users. In addition,
EPLRS has a position reporting capability allowing mobile users to determine their
position based on time difference of arrival measurements from multiple reference
Radio Set (RS) units.
The Australian Army has around 50 EPLRS radios that it uses as a tactical radio
network in small and medium-sized field trials but without utilising its positioning
capability.
The EPLRS positioning capability has the potential to be used as a navigation system
backup to GPS, in such platforms as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). An EPLRS
Micro-Light unit has already been used in an Aerosonde Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV) for extending tactical communication range. Integrating the EPLRS position
solution into the avionics of the UAV will allow switching between GPS and EPLRS for
the source of position data depending on the environment and system requirements.
This option could allow the UAV to be navigated in a GPS denied environment or
whilst deploying GPS denial payloads.

2. EPLRS
2.1 Introduction
The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a network of wireless
tactical radios that distributes digital data from many mobile users to many other
mobile users. The EPLRS network consists of many EPLRS radio sets (RSs) and one or
more EPLRS Network Manager (ENM) host computers.
The RS uses a wide-band direct sequence spread spectrum waveform, Time Division
Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency hopping, and embedded error correction
encoding. These attributes are programmable allowing the planner to configure the
network to provide optimal anti-jam performance and data rate according to the
environment.
In addition, EPLRS has a position reporting capability allowing an RS user to
determine their own location.
The RS is available in two forms: a high power vehicle mounted unit and a lower
power Micro-Light unit. Both forms contain a baro-altimeter. They are shown in
Figure 1.

DSTO-TN-0762

An EPLRS Micro-Light unit has been used in an Aerosonde Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV) for extending tactical communication range. Figure 2 shows the Micro-Light
installed in the UAV.

Figure 1: Vehicle Mounted and Micro-Light EPLRS

Figure 2: EPLRS Micro-Light installed in UAV

2

DSTO-TN-0762

2.2 Position Location

The EPLRS position location service utilises multiple reference RS units. A reference
unit RS is an RS that the network planner has designated to have the ability to be
given, either manually (via the ENM) or electronically (via a Portable Lightweight GPS
Receiver (PLGR)), its current position data.
Non-reference RS units use the position data provided by reference RS units to
determine the position of themselves and other RS units.
The positional accuracy of EPLRS improves as more numbers of accurately located
reference RSs are used. In addition, the geometry of the reference RS units is an
important factor. The limiting geometric factor in determining the position of an RS is
the vertex angles formed by lines drawn from the supporting reference units to the RS
to be located. It is suggested in Ref 1 that vertex angles should be greater than 30
degrees where possible.

2.3 Position Data

The position data is delivered from an EPLRS RS over an ethernet link as multicast
packets with the IP address and port number configurable via the ENM.
It is distributed in Joint Services Variable Message Format (JVMF) using K05.01 and
K05.19 message types. The following Interface Control Documents (ICD) can be used
to decode the header and content of the VMF messages:
MIL-STD-2045-47001

for the header format

MIL-STD-6017

for K05.01 and K05.19 message format (controlled document)

The position information available includes the following parameters:

Latitude, longitude, altitude

Speed, course
Location Quality indicator

The definition of the Location Quality indicator as given in the ICD is brief and vague
but is related to the deviation in range as reported by the RS unit.

2.4 Gumstix
Although not required in the tests to evaluate the EPLRS position capability, the mini
Linux-based computer, Gumstix, is one option available for use in a UAV to read and
process the EPLRS position data.
The Gumstix, shown in Figure 3, is small and has small/low power requirements and
contains a 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processor, 64 MB of RAM, and 16 MB of flash
memory. Expansion boards allow the addition of serial and ethernet ports, as well as
flash card slots.
3

DSTO-TN-0762

Figure 3: Gumstix Module

By adding the ethernet port expansion board and directly connecting it to the EPLRS
micro-light ethernet port, the Gumstix is capable of:
a) reading and processing the EPLRS multicast position message, and
b) forming a network connection to a PC that is connected to another EPLRS
receiver. This requires some EPLRS network management.
When used in an airborne platform, such as a UAV, air-to-ground data
communications over the EPLRS network is possible. The Aerosonde UAV currently
transmits its GPS position to the ground via a separate radio link. By incorporating the
EPLRS micro-light and Gumstix into the UAV, the EPLRS position can be compared
with the GPS position without any changes to the UAV avionics hardware or software
(Figure 4).
As part of the position tests making up this report, a Gumstix was connected to an
EPLRS unit to confirm data communications over the EPLRS network to another PC.

DSTO-TN-0762

Gumstix
UAV
EPLRS
position data

EPLRS-Lite

Ground

EPLRS

PC
PC displays EPLRS position
of UAV

Figure 4: Proposed Air-to-Ground Communications over EPLRS for EPLRS Position

3. EPLRS Position Tests and Results

3.1 Tests
A series of EPLRS position tests were performed in and around DSTO Edinburgh
during August and September of 2006.
Five EPLRS radio units were sited at known locations around the DSTO area. One of
these was the network manager (ENM) and the other four were Micro-Light units.
Figure 5 shows the layout of the static reference units at sites S1-S5.
A non-reference EPLRS unit, along with a Y-code capable GPS receiver (PLGR) were
mounted in a van allowing dynamic and static tests to be performed. Both EPLRS and
GPS position were logged.
A number of tests were performed with the van containing the non-reference EPLRS
sited at V1 with different combinations of reference units employed. Other tests
included the van sited at V2, V3, and a hillside location about 4 km from the reference
units.

DSTO-TN-0762

Figure 5: EPLRS Reference Unit sites (S1-5) and Mobile Unit sites (V1-3)

DSTO-TN-0762

3.2 Results
We define the average bias () as the average distance between the estimated EPLRS
location and its true location. Let be the east bias with variance 2 and the north
bias with variance 2 so that

= 2 + 2
and

2 =

2 + 2 2 )

from standard statistical theory, for example see Ref 2.

Table 1 shows the results of east, north and average bias measurements for a variety of
receiver configurations. Horizontal error graphs are shown in Figure 7 to Figure 15.
Table 1: EPLRS Test Results
Location
V1
V1
V1
V1
V1
V1
V1
V2
V2
V2
V3
V3
V3
Hill
Hill
Hill

Num Ref
Units
(RSIDs)
5 (1,2,4,5,6)
5 (1,2,4,5,6)
4 (1,2,4,6)
4 (1,2,4,5)
3 (1,2,4)
3 (1,2,6)
3 (1,5,6)
5 (1,2,4,5,6)
4 (1,4,5,6)
3 (1,5,6)
5 (1,2,4,5,6)
4 (1,4,5,6)
3 (1,5,6)
5 (1,2,4,5,6)
4 (1,4,5,6)
3 (1,4,5)

East
Bias Std
-10
4
41
0
37
20
-18
28
-9
-25
-54
-57
-34
30
14
71

63
46
28
41
27
16
24
39
34
22
22
23
22
37
22
47

North
Bias Std
16
12
17
2
18
33
22
11
1
16
12
2
27
23
-6
106

28
24
17
28
19
12
15
32
26
17
19
23
20
80
42
98

Average
Bias Std
19
13
44
2
41
39
28
30
9
30
55
57
43
38
15
128

41
27
27
28
26
13
19
38
34
21
22
23
21
57
26
86

Quality
Indicator

Figure

Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Avg
Poor
Avg
Avg

Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15

Location Quality indicators of Avg relate to a range deviation of between 25 and

50 m, while the Poor indicator relates to a deviation of between 100 and 200 m.

DSTO-TN-0762

Inconsistencies are apparent in the above table. For example, more reference units did
not always result in a more accurate position solution. Factors such as multipath and
obstructions due to nearby buildings likely affected the position solutions.
From Table 1, the following average biasses can be concluded:
Non-reference RS inside the ring of reference units: 32 27 m
Non-reference RS offset from the ring of reference units: 60 61 m (small dataset)
Results for a typical dynamic test are shown in Figure 16. In this test, the van
containing the non-reference EPLRS was driven around the DSTO establishment at
speeds ranging from 25 kph to 60 kph.

3.3 Gumstix Test

The setup used for the Gumstix test is shown in Figure 6. Here, a GPS receiver is
connected to the Gumstix allowing both GPS position and EPLRS position to be sent
over the EPLRS network to the PC.

GPS

Serial Interface

GPS Software
Interface

Gumstix
PC records EPLRS
and GPS position

EPLRS position
data decoder

PC

Ethernet Interface

EPLRS
Figure 6: EPLRS and Gumstix Test Setup

Ref EPLRS

DSTO-TN-0762

The ENM is required to setup a unicast route between two EPLRS units. Once this is
configured, and gateways are setup on the Gumstix and PC, the PC is able to connect
to the Gumstix over the EPLRS network. The Gumstix then transmits the GPS and
EPLRS position data to the PC which displays and records the data for later analysis.
With the GPS, Gumstix, and an EPLRS unit in a van, the stationary PC (connected to an
EPLRS reference unit) successfully recorded the GPS and EPLRS positions of the van as
it travelled around the DSTO area.

3.4 Results Summary

Where the non-reference was surrounded by reference units, the average bias of the
EPLRS position was 32 27 m.
Where the non-reference is not centred between the reference units, as would be
typically the case in a UAV deployment operation, the average bias increased to 60
61 m.
The latter bias was taken from a very small sample set and included one test where the
Quality Indicator was significantly poorer.
These results suggest the EPLRS position accuracy should be sufficient to enable coarse
navigation of a UAV in the event of GPS becoming unavailable. Flight tests are
required to confirm these findings.

3.5 Operational Issues

Managing the EPLRS network to allow one or more EPLRS units to determine their
location involves the following ENM tasks:
a) Entering the position coordinates (and estimated accuracy of coordinates) for
every stationary EPLRS reference unit
b) Selecting the GPS option for reference units whose position will be updated
continuously by a GPS receiver. This dynamic reference capability was not tested
as part of the EPLRS tests discussed in this report.
c) Entering the host multicast IP address and port number used for delivering
position data for the non-reference EPLRS unit. This information is also required
by a computer connected to the non-reference EPLRS unit to record and display
the position data
d) In addition, to allow two computers connected to two EPLRS units to
communicate over the EPLRS network, a unicast route is required to be set up
between the relevant EPLRS units.

DSTO-TN-0762

4. Summary
The EPLRS position reporting capability has the potential to be utilised as a backup to
GPS in situations where GPS is denied and precise positioning is not required.
The small size of the EPLRS Micro-Light unit allows the use of EPLRS on a UAV
platform and whilst the position accuracy is less than that obtained using GPS, it could
be sufficient for UAV flight navigation purposes. Altitude information is provided by
the Micro-Lights built-in baro-altimeter.
The positional accuracy of EPLRS is dependent on the number and configuration of the
EPLRS reference units.
EPLRS average position biasses were found to be 32 27 m for good reference unit
configuration and 60 61 m for the small number of poor configuration tests
performed.
Some points to note from the results obtained:
1) In general, position accuracy lessened when the non-reference EPLRS unit was
moved a large distance from the reference units. This was expected due to the
much poorer geometry of the reference unit layout with respect to the nonreference unit resulting in vertex angles of less than 20.
2) The positional accuracy did not always correlate with the number or
configuration of reference units.
3) The results were not always repeatable. That is, different position results were
sometimes obtained when using the same configurations of EPLRS units.
4) Some anomalous findings may have been due to the testing environment. The
environment contained many buildings and other obstructions likely to have
resulted in multipath and signal degradations affecting the resultant position
solutions. As an example, the ENM antenna is a permanent installation on the
roof of a building with other considerable structures on the roof in the antennas
immediate vicinity.
Further EPLRS position tests are desirable in a more open environment, such as
Woomera, to ascertain the magnitude of the effect of multipath and visibility
anomalies on the position solution. UAV flight tests will also evaluate the EPLRS
position reporting capability and verify its usefulness for navigation in the absence of
GPS.
Other potential benefits of EPLRS integration into UAVs include:
a) deployment of GPS denial payloads
b) payload access to the EPLRS communications network
c) UAV-UAV communication via the EPLRS network
10

DSTO-TN-0762

5. Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Stephen Leak of Information Networks Division for the
loan of the EPLRS equipment and his work and assistance in managing the network
during the tests.
The author also appreciated the assistance given by Dr. Sam Drake of Electronic
Warfare and Radar Division to the statistical analysis of the results.

6. References
[1]

Planners Manual for EPLRS Networks, TB 11-5825-298-10-3, Department of the

Army, Washington, DC. 15 Sept 2003

[2]

Spiegel, Murray R. Shaums Outline of Theory and Problems of Statistics, Second

dition. McGraw-Hill, Inc.; New York; 1988

11

DSTO-TN-0762

Appendix A: EPLRS Position Plots

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution
400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200
600

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units

400

200

200

400

East (m)

Figure 7: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units (1 of 2)

12

600

800

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200
300

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units

200

100

100

200
East (m)

300

400

500

600

700

Figure 8: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units (2 of 2)

13

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200
600

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units

400

200

200
East (m)

Figure 9: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 4 reference units

14

400

600

800

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

600

400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000
800

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units
600

400

200

0
East (m)

200

400

600

800

Figure 10: V1 EPLRS Position Error with 3 reference units

15

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

600

400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000
600

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units

400

200

200
East (m)

Figure 11: V2 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

16

400

600

800

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

400

200

North (m)

200

400

600

800

1000

1200
200

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

East (m)

Figure 12: V3 EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

17

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

2500
EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units
2000

North (m)

1500

1000

500

500
4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000
1500
East (m)

1000

Figure 13: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 5 reference units

18

500

500

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

2500
EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units
2000

North (m)

1500

1000

500

500
4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000
1500
East (m)

1000

500

500

Figure 14: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 4 reference units

19

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

2500
EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units
2000

North (m)

1500

1000

500

500
4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000
1500
East (m)

1000

Figure 15: 4 km offset EPLRS Position Error with 3 reference units

20

500

500

DSTO-TN-0762

EPLRS and Ycode GPS Horizontal Position Solution

800

600

400

North (m)

200

200

400

600

800
800

EPLRS Position
Ycode GPS Position
EPLRS Reference Units
600

400

200

0
East (m)

200

400

600

800

Figure 16:Dynamic Tests with 5 reference RS units

21

DSTO-TN-0762

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DOCUMENT CONTROL DATA
2. TITLE

Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS)

Positioning Capability

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Document
Title
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(U)
(U)
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4. AUTHOR(S)

5. CORPORATE AUTHOR

Gary Fielke

Defence Science and Technology Organisation

PO Box 1500
Edinburgh SA 5111

6a. DSTO NUMBER

6b. AR NUMBER

6c. TYPE OF REPORT

7. DOCUMENT DATE

DSTO-TN-0762

AR-013-931

Technical Note

June 2007

8. FILE NUMBER

2007/1010649

9. TASK NUMBER
JTW 03/084

10. TASK SPONSOR

DGAD

11. NO. OF PAGES

36

12. NO. OF
REFERENCES
2

13. URL on the World Wide Web

14. RELEASE AUTHORITY

http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/corporate/reports/DSTOTN-0762.pdf

Chief, Electronic Warfare and Radar Division

15. SECONDARY RELEASE STATEMENT OF THIS DOCUMENT

Approved for Public Release

OVERSEAS ENQUIRIES OUTSIDE STATED LIMITATIONS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO DOCUMENT EXCHANGE, PO BOX 1500, EDINBURGH, SA 5111,
AUSTRALIA

16. DELIBERATE ANNOUNCEMENT

No Limitations
17. CASUAL ANNOUNCEMENT
18. DSTO RESEARCH LIBRARY THESAURUS

Yes

Miltary communications
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Position finding
Wireless communications
Radio communications
19. ABSTRACT

The Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) is a network of wireless tactical radios that distributes digital
data between many mobile users. In addition, EPLRS has a position reporting capability allowing mobile users to
determine their position based on time difference of arrival measurements from multiple reference radio units.
EPLRS has the potential to be used in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a navigation system backup to GPS. This report details
a number of EPLRS position tests conducted at DSTO Edinburgh and the outcome of these tests with a view to UAV usage.

Page classification: UNCLASSIFIED