MerlinTPS tested its Terrestrial Positioning System (TPS) at the Department of Defense’s PNT Assessment Exercises (PNTAX), demonstrating resilience against electromagnetic radio frequency interference. This test positions TPS as an alternative to GNSS-based systems in environments where GNSS is compromised or unavailable.
Christian Kotscher, CEO of MerlinTPS, stated, “The PNTAX test confirms our TPS technology’s capability to function effectively in a live, radio frequency-challenged environment, achieving a technical readiness level 7.”
PNTAX is designed to evaluate PNT technologies under conditions where traditional GPS signals are degraded or denied. MerlinTPS’s system uses broadcast radio signals, which are less susceptible to jamming and spoofing than satellite signals, to provide positioning and timing data.
Chris Kocks, Chief Product Officer at MerlinTPS, explained the significance of the technology, “Our TPS solution operates using broadcast signals and a private network, providing a robust alternative in GPS-denied situations.”
The company is also working to enhance the portability and integration of TPS, collaborating with a RISC-V core engineering firm to reduce the size of their neuromorphic design, facilitating easier integration into OEM devices.
Throughout the PNTAX, Persistent Systems’ MPU5 radios supported backhaul communications reliably, even under harsh environmental conditions. Nate Carlson, head of defense at MerlinTPS, commented on their performance, stating, “The radios functioned without interruption, which is essential for validating new technologies in development scenarios.”
The tests at PNTAX represent a step forward for MerlinTPS in moving towards commercial deployment, with the aim of providing an alternative and reliable PNT solution across various industries globally.
