INSTITUTE of NAVIGATION

Advancing the art of Navigation

 

 

 

The Institute of Navigation (ION) is a non-profit professional organization for the advancement of the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing. It was founded in 1945 and serves communities interested in navigation and positioning on land, air, sea and space. It is a worldwide organization with members in more than 50 countries.

As of 2012, the ION has approximately 3,000 members. The ION is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia.

 


HISTORY

During World War II, the field of navigation experienced "dramatic developments [during] a period of fast-moving changes... People recognized the need for an organization to provide a forum for discussion [of the] various aspects of navigation." Dr. Samuel Herrick, assistant professor of astronomy at UCLA, proposed an institute for navigation. Dr. Herrick envisioned a research center and publication of a journal.

On June 25, 1945, the Institute of Navigation was founded at an organizational meeting held at UCLA. The Institute's first permanent council was elected at the first annual meeting in October 1945. Colin H. McIntosh, of American Airlines, was elected as the Institute's first president. The Institute's journal, Navigation, was first published in March 1946.

The ION National Office was located on the campus of UCLA until 1960, when it moved to Washington, DC. In 1992, the headquarters were relocated to Northern Virginia.

 

CONFERENCES

The Institute sponsors several technical conferences each year. These conferences focus on current developments in navigation technology and policy.

IEEE/ION PLANS (Position, Location and Navigation Symposium) Conference, Spring, biennial.
JSDE/ION Joint Navigation Conference, June.


ION GNSS, September. ION GNSS is attended by approximately 1,800 GPS and GNSS specialists from more than 40 countries.


PROGRAMS

The Institute of Navigation publishes a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal, Navigation.

The ION sponsors a variety of programs intended to promote the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing. In an effort to reach out to the next generation of engineers, ION sponsors the ION Robotic Lawn Mower Competition, the ION Mini-Urban Challenge, ION Autonomous Snowplow Competition, a scholarship program, and student paper competitions.

The ION also sponsors government fellows that serve a one-year term in a Congressional office or an Executive Branch department.

 


AWARDS

The ION recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the art and science of navigation. These recognitions include annual awards and election to Fellow membership.

 

 

SATELLITE DIVISION


Satellite Division: The purpose of the Satellite Division is to encourage the development, operation, and use of navigation and position determination systems incorporating satellite based elements. The Satellite Division sponsors two awards presented each year. The Johannes Kepler Award honors individuals for sustained and significant contributions to the development of satellite navigation. The Bradford W. Parkinson Award recognizes outstanding graduate students in the field of Global Navigation Satellite Systems.


The Institute of Navigation is the world's premier non-profit professional society dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). Founded in 1945, it serves a diverse community including those interested in air, space, marine, land navigation, and position determination. Its membership is worldwide, and it is affiliated with the International Association of Institutes of Navigation. 

ION members are drawn from many sources including professional navigators, astronomers, cartographers, photogrametrists, meteorologists, engineers, physicists, educators, geodesists, surveyors, general aviation and airline pilots, mariners, yachtsmen, and anyone interested in position-determining systems. Corporate members include corporations, civil and military government agencies, private scientific and technical institutions, universities and training academies, and consulting firms. 

 

ION INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL MEETINGS


These technical meetings offer you and your colleagues the opportunity to exchange technological information on the various navigation and positioning systems. The Institute annually sponsors an International Technical Meeting (January), IEEE/ION PLANS (Spring), JSDE/ION Joint Navigation Conference (Spring), and ION GNSS Meeting (September, sponsored by the ION's Satellite Division). These conferences provide a chance to present technical papers and discuss new findings with industry peers. The meetings are an opportunity to meet new people and renew old acquaintances.


PUBLICATIONS


The ION is well known for is its prestigious quarterly journal, NAVIGATION. The journal publishes original, peer-reviewed articles on all areas related to the science and technology of air, sea, land and space navigation, including estimation of position, velocity, attitude, and time, and the technologies that support the determination of these quantities. Supporting technologies include navigation aids and instrumentation, algorithms and methods, error and integrity analysis, signal processing, biological navigation systems, surveying and geodesy. Editorial services for the journal are provided by professionals in government, industry, and academia. 

The ION publishes CD-ROM Proceedings from each ION conference. These proceedings contain each paper presented at the conference and provide a valuable resource for industry professionals. 

Another popular series of publications are the Monographs of the Global Positioning System, better known as the "GPS Red Books".

 

AWARDS PROGRAM


The Institute sponsors five major annual awards. These awards include the Thurlow, Hays, Weems, Superior Achievement, and Burka Awards. Nominations are solicited from the navigation community. The presentation of these coveted awards is one of the many highlights of the ION International Technical Meeting.

In addition to the major awards, the ION sponsors student awards for navigation excellence. Cash awards are available to outstanding students of navigation selected by the faculty of recognized academies.

 


THE COUNCIL


The Council of the Institute acts as its board of directors. Council members are elected by the membership. Day-to-day operations of the Institute are conducted by the national office staff, at the national headquarters of the ION in Manassas, Virginia.

 

 

MEMBERS - ION CORPORATE DIRECTORY


746 Test Squadron 
ACUTRONIC USA, Inc. 
Aerospace Corporation 
Agency for Defense Development 
AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT 
Airways Corp of New Zealand 
Analytical Graphics, Inc. 
APOGEE ENGINEERING 
Applanix Corporation 
Ashtech 
ATLANTIC INERTIAL SYSTEMS INC 
Aviation Data Communication Corporation 
Braxton Technologies, LLC 
Broadcom 
C.S. Draper Laboratory 
CAST Navigation, LLC 
Chronos Technology Limited 
CMC Electronics, Inc. 
Coherent Navigation, Inc. 
Crossbow Technology, Inc. 
CTAE - AEROSPACE RESEARCH & TECHNOLOG 
DATAGRID INC 
Deimos Space S.L. 
DW International Ltd 
E EADS Astrium 
EMCORE 
EXCELITAS TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 
Falcon Reconnaissance Systems 
FASTRAX LTD. 
Federal Aviation Administration 
FRAUNHOFER IIS 
Furuno GPS/OEM Timing 
General Lighthouse Authorities 
Geo++® GmbH 
German Aerospace Center (DLR) 
GMV Aerospace and Defence, S.A. 
GPS NETWORKING 
Hemisphere GPS 
Honeywell, Inc. 
IDEAL AEROSMITH 
Infinity Systems Engineering 
Inmarsat 
Innovative Solutions International 
Inside GNSS/Gibbons Media Research 
Institute of Flight Guidance, TU-BS 
InterSense Inc. 
ISAE 
iSense, LLC 
ISI , A SUBSIDIARY OF PRAGMATICS 
ISRO Satellite Centre 
ITT Communication Systems GNSS Solutions 
ITT Exelis 
Javad Positioning Systems 
Johns Hopkins University/APL 
K Kongsberg Seatex AS 
KVH Industries 
L-3 Communications/IEC 
LIGHTSQUARED 
LINQUEST CORPORATION 
LOCATA CORPORATION 
LOCKHEED MARTIN 
Loctronix Corporation 
Maxtena, Inc. 
MTRG CESRE CSIRO 
MTSI 
National Geodetic Survey 
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS 
Navcom Technology, Inc. 
NAVCON 
NAVSYS CORPORATION 
NavtechGPS 
NAVXPERIENCE GMBH 
Nexteq Navigation 
Nikon-Trimble Co., Ltd. 
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems 
Novariant 
Novatel, Inc. 
NSL 
Ohio University Avionics Engineering Center 
OMNISTAR 
Omnistar, Inc. 
Overlook Systems Technologies, Inc. 
Penn State University Navigation R&D Center 
PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S/A 
Point, Inc. 
PREDESA, LLC 
Predesa, LLC 
R RAKON LTD 
RAVEN INDUSTRIES-ATC 
RAYTHEON 
RENESAS DESIGN FRANCE 
RINCON RESEARCH CORPORATION 
Rockwell Collins 
ROHDE & SCHWARZ, INC. 
Romona, Inc. 
Rx Networks, Inc. 
Sandia National Laboratories 
Sarantel, Ltd. 
Selex Systems Integration Inc 
SENSONOR TECHNOLOGIES AS 
SEPTENTRIO SATELLITE NAVIGATION 
SILICOM 
SiRF Technology, Inc. 
skyguide - swiss air navigation services ltd 
Sokkia Topcon Co., Ltd., Technical Administration 
Southern Avionics Co. 
SPARTON CORPORATION 
SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic 
Spirent Communications SW, Ltd 
Spirent Federal Systems 
ST Ericsson UK Ltd 
ST MICROELECTRONICS 
Steve Lieber & Associates, Inc. (SLA, Inc.) 
SUBCARRIER SYSTEMS CORP (SCSC) 
SYMMETRICOM 
SYSTRON DONNER INERTIAL 
TAHOE RF SEMICONDUCTOR, INC 
TELESPAZIO 
The MITRE Corporation 
The University of Texas 
Topcon Positioning Systems, CIS 
Trimble Integrated Technologies 
Trimble Navigation, Ltd. 
TRUSTED POSITIONING 
TUBITAK SAGE 
u-blox AG 
U.S. Coast Guard Command & Control Engineering Center 
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY 
United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) 
Universal Avionics Corporation 
UrsaNav, Inc. 
US COAST GUARD 
US Naval Observatory 
USAF GPS Wing 
USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN) 
USCG R&D Center 
USDOT/VNTSC 
Vectronix Inc. 
White Electronic Designs Corporation 
Xsens Technologies B.V 

 

 

 

Navigation is a roving animal with the development of Loran, then in 1978 the launch of the first GPS satellite. Such developments challenged the very idea of a Royal Institute of Navigation. This is because position-finding is now a relatively automated function. 

These developments allied to a determination to embrace global satellite navigation systems and information technology as important elements in modern navigation, helped the ION become a 21st century organisation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ION AIMS & OBJECTIVES


The ION has three stated main ai


ION FUTURE

The process of evolution continues today. In 2002 the RIN made its first appearance on the internet, and its website has been consistently popular ever since as a source of news for everyone with an interest in navigation.

 

In 2004, the Council began investigating ways to provide members with legal protection. Three years later, to mark its 60th anniversary in 2007, the Institute changed its status once again, as it had to mark its 25th. It gained a Royal Charter, becoming an 'incorporated body' just after the stroke of midnight on January 1 2007. In the wake of the change, the Institute developed a new logo and website for the 21st Century.

 

 

 

 

CONTACT THE ION

 

THE INSTITUTE OF NAVIGATION
8551 Rixlew Lane
Suite 360
Manassas, VA 20109

Phone: 703.366.2723
Fax: 703.366.2724
membership@ion.org

 

Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the 38-acre (150,000 m2) county courthouse, but that county property is not part of the city. The City of Manassas has several important historic sites from the period 1850–1870. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Manassas (along with Manassas Park) with Prince William County for statistical purposes. The City of Manassas is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area and it is situated in the Northern Virginia region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Council of the Institute of Navigation

 

The Council of the Institute acts as its Board of Directors. The Council Members are elected annually by the Membership. Day-to-day operations of the Institute are conducted by the National Office Staff, at the national headquarters of the ION in Manassas, Virginia.

ION / COUNCIL INFORMATION


COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

 

2013:
Council and Executive Committee Minutes - January 2013

2012:
Executive Committee Minutes - September 2012
Executive Committee Minutes - April 2012
Council Minutes - April 2012
Council Minutes - January 2012

2011:
Council Minutes - June 2011
Executive Committee Minutes - June 2011
Council Minutes - January 2011

2010:
Executive Committee Minutes - September 2010
Council Minutes - May 2010
Council Minutes - January 2010

2009:
Executive Committee Minutes - June 2009
Council Minutes - June 2009
Council Minutes - January 2009

2008:
Executive Committee Minutes - September 2008
Council Minutes - May 2008
Executive Committee Minutes - May 2008
Council Minutes - January 2008
Executive Committee Minutes - January 2008

ION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

 

Corporate Documents


Bylaws, January 2013
Articles of Incorporation, January 26, 1967
Virginia State Corporation Commission, July 1, 1992

Policies


Annual Awards Policy, January 2013
Conference Committee Matrix, June 2000
Conflict of Interest Discloure, January 2009
Congressional Fellow Policy, January 2000
Document Retention Policy, January 2009
Executive Fellow Policy, January 2003
Fellow Selection Policy, January 2012
Meeting Co-Sponsorship Policy, January 21, 2001
Policy for Issuance of Press Passes for ION Meetings, October 2008
Student Award Policy, January 13, 1997
Student Travel Grant Policy, June 29, 1997
Whistleblower Policy, January 25, 2009

Satellite Division


Bylaws, September 2012
Tutorial Policy, January 2012
Investment Strategy, September 12, 2003
Funding Guidelines, January 21, 1998
Award Policies and Procedures, September 2012
Education Modules

 

Financial Information


2013-2014 Budget, January 2013
Audited Financial Statements, FY 2010-11, June 1, 2011

Other Resources


Council Position Descriptions, April 2012
Personnel Handbook, January 2013
Strategic Plan, January 2010
Section Handbook, January 2000
Section Scholarship Plans:
  Alberta, June 2003
  Dayton, January 2002
  Rocky Mountain Section, January 2003
  Southern California Section, June 6, 2004

 

 

LINKS

 

http://www.ion.org/

http://www.rin.org.uk/

 

 

 

 

Laser weapons on boats are now a reality

The latest Solarnavigator is designed to be capable of an autonomous world navigation set for an attempt in 2015 if all goes according to schedule. This scientific expedition will improve safety at sea by demonstrating robotic navigation at a practical level.

 

 

 

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