Orolia recently announced successful synchronization in multiple indoor locations. Photo source: Oriola.Rochester, New York-based Orolia recently announced (March 22) that in several indoor environments in the field, it has successfully synchronized a Spectracom SecureSync high precision time server with the new Iridium Satelles Satellite Time & Location (STL) time synchronization signal powered by Iridium satellites.
Rochester, New York-based Orolia recently announced (March 22) that in several indoor environments in the field, it has successfully synchronized a Spectracom SecureSync high precision time server with the new Iridium Satelles Satellite Time & Location (STL) time synchronization signal powered by Iridium satellites.
Configured with an embedded STL receiver and a small patch antenna, the SecureSync was able to sync up with the STL signal in several challenging indoor locations, according to the company, which has offices in the U.S, France, Russia, Switzerland, UK, Brazil, and China. The first successful synchronization was in the interior of a building in one of the most challenging urban canyons on Earth, downtown Manhattan on the seventh floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The second was in the interior of a conference center with multiple sources of potential signal interference during The Institute of Navigation event in Monterey, California.
Additional successful indoor timing signal synchronization locations include MiFiD2 events near the Paris Stock Exchange, a multi-story building and inside Gibson Hall in downtown London. More GNSS challenged locations are planned.
According to Orolia, these successes are related to the fact STL uses the narrow band paging channels of Iridium, a one-way transmission from the satellite with a very high gain system. The STL signal is completely different from the wide band, lower gain two-way channel of the Iridium phone, and cannot be compared. The STL signal is 1,000 times stronger than GPS because it originates from the Iridium constellation of 66 satellites orbiting in a low earth orbit. It is also encrypted for high security, which is designed to greatly enhance the Resilient PNT capabilities of the Spectracom product lines, especially the SecureSync precision time and frequency reference.
“Orolia is focused on providing Resilient PNT solutions, and by combining and layering technology in innovative ways we help our customers meet their mission goals. This new satellite-based service provides a unique signal that augments Spectracom systems, enhancing our ability to effectively mitigate emerging GPS and GNSS threats,” said Rohit Braggs, Orolia vice president, PNT Networks & Sources.
