Navigating the unknown: the importance of GNSS backup solutions

As our reliance on GNSS grows, so does the need for reliable backup systems to ensure continuous locationing and timing.

In today’s interconnected world, GNSS has become an essential tool for navigation, communication, and critical infrastructure. GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System and contains various technologies, of which GPS is probably the best-known.

However, the increasing dependence on GNSS also raises concerns about the potential consequences of a GNSS outage. What happens when the signal is lost, and emergency responders can’t pinpoint a location? How do critical infrastructure sectors, such as aviation, maritime, and emergency services, ensure continuous operation? What about the impact GNSS has on our daily lives as we commute from one destination to the next?

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GNSS is critical for nations around the globe because it serves as our universal clock and provides us with precision timing which is vital for the power grid, telecommunications systems, transportation systems, and so much more. A threat to GNSS could cause our transportation systems to stand still, our traffic systems to shutdown, a power grid failure, and our telecommunications systems to blackout entirely.

The vulnerability of GNSS

The threats to GNSS are tangible and already happening. GNSS signals are vulnerable to various forms of interference, including signal jamming, spoofing, and atmospheric conditions. Urban canyons, where tall buildings and structures can block or weaken GNSS signals, pose a significant challenge to GNSS reception. Moreover, the growing threat of cyberattacks and intentional disruptions to GNSS signals underscores the need for robust backup systems.

A redundant solution

A reliable GNSS backup solution can provide the necessary redundancy to ensure continuous locationing and timing, even in the face of GNSS outages or disruptions. By leveraging existing broadcast infrastructure, it’s possible to create a network of reference transmitters that can provide location information. This technology, known as broadcast-based locationing, uses reference signals embedded in broadcast signals to calculate a device’s location.

The benefits of broadcast-based locationing

Broadcast-based locationing offers several advantages over traditional GNSS, including improved accuracy in urban canyons and rural areas, and increased resilience to interference and jamming. By providing a redundant locationing system, broadcast-based locationing can ensure that critical infrastructure and safety-critical applications remain operational, even in the face of GNSS outages or disruptions.

A step towards a more resilient future

Implementing a GNSS backup solution is a complex task, but it’s a crucial step towards creating a more resilient and reliable navigation system. By investing in GNSS backup solutions, we can ensure that our critical infrastructure and safety-critical applications remain operational, even in the face of unexpected disruptions. As we continue to rely on GNSS for navigation, communication, and critical infrastructure, the need for robust backup systems will only continue to grow.

How is PROmilCOM involved?

As a manufacturer and distributor of more than 10,000 DTV transmitters located around the globe, we’re well-positioned to support the implementation of broadcast-based locationing systems. Our team of experts is committed to working with customers ensuring that critical infrastructure and safety-critical applications remain operational and safe.