GPS World

Tag: TopStar

  • Thales secures military navigation with TopStar Smart Receiver

    Thales secures military navigation with TopStar Smart Receiver

    Thales has launched the TopStar Smart Receiver, a three-in-one ultra-compact solution designed to provide land forces with resilient positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, while maintaining radio communications in increasingly contested electronic warfare environments.

    The TopStar Smart Receiver can be integrated into land vehicles, drones and munitions.

    Key features

    • Dual-constellation GNSS receiver. The receiver integrates signals from military constellations, Galileo PRS and civilian GPS, and provides resistance to spoofing with enhanced accuracy and availability.
    • Anti-jamming function. Its adaptive controlled radiation pattern antenna (CRPA) reduces interference from jammers, and enables operation at distances up to 30 times closer than with a conventional GPS receiver.
    • High-performance clock. The clock ensures synchronization of tactical radios for up to 48 hours following GNSS signal loss, versus 30 minutes with conventional equipment.

    Produced entirely within a sovereign European industrial base, the TopStar Smart Receiver is assembled at Thales’ site in Valence, France. The receiver is now available for testing in real-world conditions.

    “Powered by cutting-edge technologies, the TopStar Smart Receiver delivers resilient, high-performance PNT capabilities for land platforms, drones and munitions,” said  Florent Chauvancy, vice president of avionics and flight activities, Thales. “Innovative, reliable, competitive and compact, it ensures mission continuity in the most demanding operations, showcasing Thales’ expertise and commitment to innovation in support of the armed forces.”

  • Thales’ TopStar modules enable addition of Galileo OS and PRS to receivers

    Thales’ TopStar modules enable addition of Galileo OS and PRS to receivers

    Thales has developed TopStar Galileo core modules in two standardzed, easy-to-integrate versions.

    The small-form-factor Galileo OS (Open Service) or PRS (Public Regulated Service) sensors are designed to enhanced GNSS receivers and resilient multi-sensor navigation systems, ensuring safer and more reliable satellite-based navigation. 

    The Galileo PRS core module integrates a certified, single-chip, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) security module that incorporates all the necessary Galileo PRS security and navigation functions. It provides dual-frequency (E1/E6) iono-free Galileo PRS positioning, velocity and timing services. It also provides pseudorange and delta pseudorange raw data, along with GPS C/A (coarse acquisition).

    The low-SWaP (size, weight and power) digital solution has been designed to work with any European GNSS receiver manufacturer seeking a standardized, easy-to-integrate Galileo module with which to develop their own GNSS receivers.

    Credit: Thales
    Credit: Thales

    The modules can meet the requirements of a wide range of applications for manned or unmanned vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters, high-dynamic missiles, and the navy. Their small form factor also makes them suitable for platforms with size constraints, such as ground vehicles, small drones and guided munitions.

    The modules feature standardized interfaces, enabling the Galileo PRS function to be easily integrated into the host system. Furthermore, the TopStar Galileo core module can be embedded with minimum impact by using the analog RF front end of the host receiver.

    The Galileo OS core module version enables the early integration of Galileo functionalities into the host system, as well as export to countries not authorized to use PRS. The PRS core module version provides an easy upgrade to Public Regulated Service capability, offering greater resilience against jamming and crucial protection against spoofing.