GPS World

Tag: SubWAVE

  • Location systems provider Syntony GNSS joins TCCA

    Location systems provider Syntony GNSS joins TCCA

    Syntony GNSS has joined TCCA, a global representative body for the critical communications ecosystem.

    With offices in France, the United States and Canada, Syntony designs and manufactures GNSS products, including receivers and simulators dedicated to mission-critical applications, transportation, aerospace and defense.

    According to an industry report, the global GNSS simulators market size is set to grow from USD 106 million in 2020 to USD 165 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. Various factors such as rapid penetration of consumer IoT, the contribution of 5G in enabling ubiquitous connectivity, and increasing use of wearable devices utilizing location information are expected to drive the adoption of the GNSS simulators hardware, software and services.

    Syntony GNSS manufactures SubWAVE, a solution that enables GPS to work underground and makes possible critical safety services. SubWAVE enables emergency call location in underground tunnels and stations from any smartphone. It also provides the location of any first responder using a compatible P25 or TETRA receiver.

    A Syntony team member in a Swedish road tunnel during SubWAVE testing shows the positioning in an underground environment on a smartphone. (Photo: Syntony GNSS)
    A Syntony team member in a Swedish road tunnel during SubWAVE testing shows the positioning in an underground environment on a smartphone. (Photo: Syntony GNSS)

    SubWAVE is typically deployed in underground subway networks (stations and tunnels). It covers 100% of the underground stations of the Stockholm subway, for example. It is also suitable for underground road and rail tunnels, underground parking, and in the mining industry.

    “We invented SubWAVE to save lives: to be able to precisely locate a firefighter inside a tunnel, for example, is critical to his or her safety, and this is what our system does,” said Joel Korsakissok, Syntony president and founder. “Also, being able to pinpoint the location of emergency calls made from road or rail tunnels will enhance first responders’ ability to provide assistance and rescue. We are very proud to become a member of TCCA, whose DNA is focused on life-saving through critical communications.”

    “Reliable GPS/GNSS coverage in underground and denied locations such as subways, rail and road tunnels and mining is now an essential requirement for emergency services and asset operator personnel navigation and response as well as citizen safety,” said Kevin Graham, TCCA CEO. “General citizens and many businesses now rely on GPS/GNSS signals for their navigation and tracking use cases. We welcome the expertise of Syntony GNSS to enhance knowledge within TCCA of this critical area, and look forward to working with Joel and his team.”

  • Syntony GNSS, Chronos Technology partner on GNSS underground coverage

    Syntony GNSS, Chronos Technology partner on GNSS underground coverage

    GNSS Underground Coverage for Tunnels, Stations, Car Parks, Bus Stations and Airports in the U.K.

    Syntony GNSS and Chronos Technology have formed a partnership to deliver underground GNSS positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions for critical infrastructure applications in the United Kingdom.

    Syntony GNSS is a leader and expert in the design and manufacture of GNSS systems, and Chronos Technology is a resilient GNSS system integrator.

    GNSS coverage has become fundamental to many services from emergency services to asset tracking for example. Yet when entering an underground area such as a metro/subway, tunnel, car park, airport, or bus station for example, the GNSS signal is lost.

    Syntony’s SubWAVE solution expands the GNSS coverage to underground areas, enabling the localization of any equipment with a standard GNSS chipset. Examples include standard smartphones and the TETRA  Emergency Services Network handset used for security and services. Security and services applications include locating emergency calls, keeping track of staff, locating faults in tunnels, managing assets, locating trains and providing guidance.

    A Syntony team member in a Swedish road tunnel during SubWAVE testing shows the positioning in an underground environment on a smartphone. (Photo: Syntony GNSS)
    A Syntony team member in a Swedish road tunnel during SubWAVE testing shows the positioning in an underground environment on a smartphone. (Photo: Syntony GNSS)

    By emitting a perfect emulation of the “real” GNSS signal, SubWAVE offers underground operators, their staff, emergency services and the general public the benefit of full GNSS coverage in all underground areas for both operational and safety reasons.

    One fundamental aspect is the user only needs a standard GNSS receiver (a smartphone or TETRA radio) — no new handsets, receivers or apps are required. The system operates by broadcasting synthetic location specific GNSS signals through existing or new leaky feeder cables in the tunnels.

    Accuracy levels vary with leaky feeder and system complexity options; however, 2-meter accuracy is possible with a standard smartphone. The system is widely installed in the Stockholm metro and is in active trials throughout Europe and America.

    “We are pleased to form a partnership with GNSS specialists Chronos,” said Joel Korsakissok, president of Syntony GNSS. “Their knowledge and experience, together with their dedicated installation, commissioning and support teams complement our sophisticated solutions.”

    “Since its first general availability, one of the well-known shortcomings of the GPS system was lack of indoor or underground coverage,” said Charles Curry, managing director with Chronos. “Many have tried to solve this with various technologies over the years. Syntony’s innovative technology offers underground GNSS coverage for PNT applications. We are very excited by the possibilities and pleased to be partnering with them to offer their solution for critical infrastructure applications in the UK.”

    In addition, Chronos will also supply Syntony’s sophisticated GNSS simulators used in the aerospace and defence industries for product testing.