Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
The European Commission wants to establish a ‘timing backbone’, based on a sturdy blend of GNSS capabilities and terrestrial services, designed to bolster resilience when satellite signals fail. A recent market consultation report from the EC’s Joint Research Center (JRC) underscores the urgent need for such a system, calling it essential for EU autonomy, economic resilience, and global standing.
By Peter Gutierrez
Xairos Systems, Inc. has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract, in the amount of $1.9M, focused on demonstrating a fusion PNT (position, navigation and timing) of quantum and optical synchronization of clock ensembles to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
By Inside GNSS
Microchip Technology has announced its second generation Low-Noise Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LN-CSAC), model SA65-LN, in a lower profile height and designed to operate in a wider temperature range, enabling low phase noise and atomic clock stability in demanding conditions.
By Inside GNSS
Adtran has launched its Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) precision timing module, a new addition to its OSA 3300 High-Performance (OSA 3300 HP) and OSA 3300 Super High-Performance (OSA 3300 SHP) optical cesium clocks.
By Inside GNSS
Locata’s radio based ranging and enhanced time synchronization algorithms are significantly enhancing timing stability—providing a resilient solution that complements GNSS and offers fiber-levels of performance without requiring the fiber.
By Inside GNSS
Net Insight’s South African reseller partner GDS Technologies and the new end-customer Synch Industries have selected Net Insight’s Zyntai solution, based on the synchronization technology Precision TimeNet, to facilitate GNSS-independent time distribution throughout South Africa.
By Inside GNSS
The National Standards Authority of Ireland’s National Metrology Laboratory (NSAI NML) has announced the launch of a verified GPS/GNSS Data Stream (VGDS) service, an extension to the National Timing Grid of Ireland.
By Inside GNSS
Ariane 6’s inaugural rocket launch took place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time on 9 July. It has taken over from Ariane 5, featuring a modular design that can launch missions from low-Earth orbit and into deep space. Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites are projected to join the constellation in 2026 with the Ariane 6 launcher. G2 satellites will use electric propulsion and host a more powerful navigation antenna, better atomic clocks and fully digital payloads.
By Inside GNSS
Iridium Communications Inc. has announced the expanded commercial availability of its Satellite Time and Location (STL) service to parts of Europe and the Asia Pacific region. This expansion is driven by increasing demand and aims to provide an alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution to protect critical infrastructure against GPS and Galileo spoofing and jamming.
By Inside GNSS
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully executed a substantial upgrade to the ground segment of the Galileo satellite navigation system, achieving this milestone without any disruption to its users. This update enhances the Galileo Control Segment responsible for managing the constellation of orbiting satellites.
By Inside GNSS
For applications that require accurate UTC timing, the options are pretty limited. Yes, GPS provides timing, but it has its vulnerabilities. Iridium STL is the only other option with global coverage, but it has its drawbacks, too, as it’s restricted to L1 and can’t be leveraged for every application.
By Renee Knight
Adtran has announced that a leading Canadian hydropower producer is using its Oscilloquartz grandmaster device combined with its optical cesium atomic clock to achieve new levels of precision, reliability and resilience in its power grid synchronization network.
By Inside GNSS
Researchers from the Royal Observatory in Belgium, SYRTE in Paris, the Université Côte d’Azur and the European Space Agency (ESA) have published their findings on the “bounds on transient variations of fundamental constants, with typical timescales ranging from minutes to months, using clocks in space.”
By Inside GNSS
