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Oral History of Frank van Diggelen

1,133 views · Published 21 November 2018 · 1:16:53 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Computer History Museum · 2018 · Science & Technology

Interviewed by Chuck Rino on 2018-08-23 in Mountain View, CA X8744.2019
© Computer History Museum

The history of GPS is heavily weighted toward the remarkable story of how GPS was conceived and constructed.  Frank van Diggelen is one of the architects of Assisted GPS, which is largely unknown to most GPS users.  From his Oral History we learn that GPS signals are too weak to be acquired by an unaided smart phone.  The fact that GPS is even available on hand-held devices came about because of a 911 deficiency. The location of early cell-phone emergency calls was unknown.   

Dr. van Diggelen also points out that while the first bulky military GPS receivers achieved sub-meter accuracy, inexpensive hand-held A-GPS devices are now capable of achieving the same accuracy.  New applications are evolving at a Moore’s law pace.


* Note:  Transcripts represent what was said in the interview. However, to enhance meaning or add clarification, interviewees have the opportunity to modify this text afterward. This may result in discrepancies between the transcript and the video. Please refer to the transcript for further information - http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102738864

Visit computerhistory.org/collections/oralhistories/ for more information about the Computer History Museum's Oral History Collection.

Lot number: X8744.2019
Catalog number: 102738865

Oral History of Frank van Diggelen

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