Innovations and Developments in Global Navigation Satellite Systems: Key Highlights and Future Directions

LuGRE Successfully Tracks GNSS Signals in Lunar Orbit

On February 19, 2025, LuGRE achieved a significant milestone by successfully acquiring and tracking signals from GPS and Galileo satellites in lunar orbit, located at 63 Earth radii, or approximately 401,814 kilometers from Earth.

ESA Developing Optical Technology for Navigation

To advance optical positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology, the European Space Agency (ESA) has entered into a contract with a consortium of companies for a definition study (Phase A/B1) and essential technology predevelopment.

Zephr.xyz Awarded $1.7M Contract for GNSS Jamming Detection Technology

Zephr.xyz, a company specializing in augmented position, navigation, and timing (AugPNT) technologies, has been awarded a $1.74 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct-to-Phase II contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This contract aims to develop real-time detection of GNSS jamming and spoofing in contested environments, along with geolocating the sources of these threats.

Europe Navigating Urban Mobility Challenges

At a special event organized by SAE International in Brussels late last year, representatives from the European space sector and automotive industry discussed current trends and challenges in urban mobility, including automated driving and robust positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions.

VALLE Project Ensuring PNT End User Privacy

Funded by the European Space Agency, the VALLE project, led by GMV with contributions from RISE, is focused on creating innovative solutions that preserve privacy for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) applications.

Origosat Develops New GSTA Anti-Spoofing Capability

To combat GNSS spoofing, the Galileo Smart Traceability Anti-spoofing (GSTA) project, funded by ESA and led by Italy’s Origosat, has developed enhanced detection and mitigation capabilities by leveraging real-time, unpredictable data sources.

VIAVI Expands SecurePNT Portfolio

VIAVI Solutions Inc. has launched the EdgeGM 7000, a highly resilient Edge Grandmaster Clock that builds on the SecurePNT portfolio. This new offering supports up to 25G Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and multi-orbit SecureTime altGNSS, ensuring reliable Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services for critical infrastructure worldwide.

Topcon and Pix4D Collaborate to Advance Photogrammetry Solutions

Topcon Positioning Systems and Pix4D have formed a strategic partnership to combine their expertise in geopositioning and photogrammetry. As part of this collaboration, Topcon will serve as an authorized distributor of Pix4D’s photogrammetry software, enhancing access to high-precision positioning and 3D mapping technologies for their customers.

Europe’s JRC Makes Resilient Timing a Priority

The European Commission aims to establish a “timing backbone” that integrates GNSS capabilities with terrestrial services to enhance resilience during satellite signal disruptions. A recent market consultation report from the EC’s Joint Research Center (JRC) emphasizes the critical need for such a system to ensure EU autonomy, economic resilience, and global standing.

Topcon Introduces New HiPer XR GNSS Receiver

Topcon Positioning Systems has launched the HiPer XR, the latest GNSS receiver designed for surveying, mapping, and construction applications. This device aims to provide increased accuracy and reliability for a diverse range of users.

Xairos Awarded Direct-to-Phase II SBIR by SpaceWERX

Xairos Systems, Inc. has been selected by SpaceWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract worth $1.9 million. The project focuses on demonstrating a fusion Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system utilizing quantum and optical synchronization of clock ensembles, addressing key challenges faced by the Department of the Air Force.

Northrop Grumman Advances Airborne Navigation Capabilities

Northrop Grumman Corporation is enhancing the U.S. Navy’s airborne navigation capabilities with the implementation of the LN-251M, the next-generation upgrade of the LN-251 Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS).

EUSPA Launches GNSS and Secure SATCOM User Technology Report

The inaugural edition of the report explores the latest developments and trends in GNSS and secure satellite communications, focusing on user technology and the potential synergies between them.

Achieving CAT I Service with KASS

By leveraging Galileo and introducing new GNSS measurements, the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS) aims to expand service availability below the vertical limit.

The Case for LEO GNSS at C-Band

This article revisits a 2007 Inside GNSS piece discussing the potential role of C-band in navigation, illustrating how it has transitioned from a mere concept to a critical component for resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) nearly 20 years later.

Microchip Technology Launches Next-Generation Low-Noise Chip-Scale Atomic Clock

Microchip Technology has unveiled its second-generation Low-Noise Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LN-CSAC), model SA65-LN. This new version features a lower profile height and is designed to function across a broader temperature range, ensuring low phase noise and stability in challenging conditions.

ION 2024 Annual Awards Presented at ITM/PTTI 2025

The Institute of Navigation (ION) proudly recognized the recipients of its 2024 Annual Awards during the International Technical Meeting (ITM) and Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Systems and Applications Meeting in Long Beach, California, from January 27-30, 2025.

Adtran Launches Optical Cesium Clock Upgrade

Adtran has introduced its Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) precision timing module, a new addition to its OSA 3300 High-Performance and OSA 3300 Super High-Performance optical cesium clocks.

Topcon Provides GNSS Correction Services for Emergency Response

In response to the recent wildfires in Southern California, Topcon Positioning Systems is aiding recovery efforts by offering emergency Topnet Live subscriptions, granting access to its GNSS correction services network.

FrontierSI Releases LEO PNT State of the Market Report

FrontierSI has published its 2024 State of the Market Report on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), providing an in-depth analysis of the emerging LEO PNT market, its transformative potential, and key industry players.

Septentrio Extends Mosaic Family with New Modules

The new mosaic-G5 range of GNSS modules enhances the existing mosaic family, known for its reliability and performance, by targeting new applications in UAVs, robotics, and other sectors that demand smaller modules.

FGI Develops Multi-Sensor Agricultural Positioning Solution

Researchers in Finland have introduced an affordable, multi-sensor solution designed to achieve high-precision positioning and alignment of agricultural equipment, as part of the ESA-funded PAALI project.

Slingshot Aerospace Selected to Provide GPS Jamming Detection Technology

Slingshot Aerospace has been awarded a $1.9 million contract by the United States Space Force to develop advanced GPS jamming and spoofing detection capabilities, which will help identify sources of interference and predict patterns.

Bad Elf Launches Exclusive 5-Year RTK Service

Bad Elf, in collaboration with GEODNET, has rolled out a unique 5-year RTK service specifically designed for its line of Flex and Flex Mini GPS receivers, enhancing their accuracy for users.

Swift Navigation and Quectel Form Partnership

This partnership combines Swift Navigation’s Skylark Precise Positioning Service with Quectel’s GNSS modules, aiming to deliver cost-effective, centimeter-level accuracy across various applications.

Getting Government and Industry Onboard with GNSS

During a recent SAE conference in Brussels, a roundtable discussion highlighted the significance of GNSS and other positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies in urban drone operations, emphasizing their increasing relevance.

Inside Unmanned Systems Innovation Vanguard Awards – Entries Open

The inaugural Innovation Vanguard Awards from Inside GNSS’s sister publication Inside Unmanned Systems aims to recognize groundbreaking innovations, technological advancements, and product designs across various unmanned and autonomy application segments.