The European Space Agency’s NAVISP program continues to churn out on-point, PNT-related research at a time of increasing interest in the resilience, or lack thereof, of GNSS-based solutions. Among the latest NAVISP-funded projects to achieve completion is INSPIRe (Integrated Navigation System-of-Systems PNT Integrity for Resilience), which investigated a number of approaches for providing integrity of GNSS-derived PNT for maritime users.
INSPIRe developed and validated several integrity solutions for the maritime domain, considering different approaches to integrity measurement for GNSS PNT sources, and assessing their feasibility and performance.
INSPIRe developed new, user-level receiver algorithms for single frequency GPS and dual frequency multi-constellation GNSS integrity, for operations in different maritime scenarios. The project also developed a prototype RAIM availability prediction tool, which enables users to assess expected position integrity performance across the UK, up to and beyond the limits of the UK exclusive economic zone.
The project also developed system-level monitoring algorithms and software, including EGNOS monitoring and DFMC integrity monitoring. A proposed DFMC integrity monitoring service would provide system-level integrity assurance for targeted maritime DFMC users.
The results of performance and functionality tests of all integrity concepts were validated against clear, stated criteria and requirements, to ensure all of the proposed solutions can be integrated into a comprehensive, system-of-systems integrity solution.
Clear vision
The INSPIRe project built upon work carried out under the MARINAV project, which proposed a system-of-systems approach towards resilient PNT, encompassing integrity, for maritime navigation.
The INSPIRe partnership included CGI UK, GMV NSL, GLA Research and Development, Imperial College London, NLA International, Knowledge Transfer and Network and London Economics. Their overarching goal is to ensure that maritime PNT information is provided to the required level of integrity, as part of an overall resilient PNT solution operable within the UK.
A cost benefit analysis was completed, considering use cases in the maritime domain drawn from systems engineering and stakeholder engagement work streams. The final project results have also been used to identify future development pathways for integrating novel integrity concepts into a system-of-systems integrity architecture, and to identify opportunities to exploit these results in and beyond the maritime sector.
INSPIRe was funded under NAVISP Element 3, which supports participating states in the development and implementation of their national PNT strategies, including GNSS-based and other PNT solutions.
