Tschudi Shipping Company, NAL Research and SGM Technology AS have launched PntGuard, a maritime-security solution that provides pinpoint situational awareness. It supports navigational integrity at a time when GNSS signals can no longer be taken for granted.
standalone navigational aid independent of all other bridge systems, PntGuard delivers instant alerts the moment a vessel’s position is falsified, providing true position data when other bridge systems are compromised.
The electronic warfare problem
Malicious disruption of GNSS signals is increasing for the maritime industry. Attacks can originate from land-based systems, hostile or “dark-fleet” vessels, or even occur opportunistically in congested sea lanes – often without vessel crews ever realising their position has been manipulated.
Critical scenarios include:
Collisions and groundings (especially in low visibility, at night, and in dense traffic zones with risk to life, assets, and the environment)
Unintended or manipulated entry into restricted waters
Claims of sanctions evasion / calling at ports in sanctioned states
ort delays / disruptions to cargo logistics including deviations causing delays, increased fuel consumption, and emissions.
Charter disputes and insurance challenges when a vessel appears to have breached compliance boundaries
Enabled by the Iridium low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, PntGuardreceives a secured PNT signal about 1,000 times more powerful than GNSS and is resilient to jamming and spoofing of those systems. The solution complements a vessel’s navigation feed with accurate situational awareness and immediately alerts the crew to manipulation or interruption, its makers say.
PntGuardcomprises two compact components – an above-deck unit (receiver) that connects to the Iridium PNT service and a below-deck unit (bridge display) that shows both the falsified GPS track and the vessel’s true position on a nautical chart in real time.
Shore offices can also receive an accurate record of a vessel’s true position at any time – proof that can be shared with charterers or insurers to defend against claims based on false data and safeguarding both revenue and reputation.
About the PntGuard partnership
PntGuard has been developed through a collaboration between cross-industry partners Tschudi Shipping Company, NAL Research Corporation and SGM Technology, combining expertise from resilient satellite services, maritime technology and vessel operations.
Tschudi Shipping Company is a fifth-generation, Norwegian family-owned shipping and logistics group with more than 100 years of history of owning and managing ships. Focusing on client value through tailored solutions, strong partnerships, digital innovation, Tschudi’s core values are commitment, respect, and proactivity.
NAL Research Corporation, based in Virginia, USA, is a leader in Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) technologies, providing secure, resilient communications and tracking solutions for defence, government and enterprise customers operating in GPS-denied environments.
SGM Technology, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, develops advanced satellite-based digital and compliance systems for the maritime and fisheries sectors, delivering innovative, field-proven solutions that enhance operational safety, transparency and efficiency at sea.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) figures show incidences of GPS signal interference, such as jamming and spoofing, have increased significantly in both North America and much of Western Europe. Both commercial and military operations are affected, and ADS-B reports from Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) cite up to 700 global GPS spoofing and jamming incidents taking place daily.
Events are particularly concentrated around war zones, with Lithuanian airspace alone recording more than 300 cases of GPS interference in March. The consequences have ranged from emergency diversions of civilian aircraft to, in at least one case, the downing of an aircraft. Other sectors reliant on precise timing and geolocation, such as communications and emergency services, also are being impacted.
Of course, it’s not just navigation; and a swath of industries rely on PNT signals. This includes secure and regulatory-compliant financial transactions, power grid synchronization, asset tracking, ensuring data integrity and coordinating workloads across global telecommunications and artificial intelligence (AI) servers.
How can PNT systems be made more resilient to this interference? What emerging technologies enable PNT systems to maintain operational capability in GPS/GNSS-denied, degraded or disrupted space operational environments (D3SOE)?
Interference Techniques
GPS interference comes in a wide variety of forms, and systems are susceptible because the signals from the satellites are faint by the time they reach the Earth.
Jamming is a brute force denial of service (DoS) attack, with a device transmitting a signal on the same L1 (1575 MHz), L2 (1227 MHz) or other relevant bands as the PNT satellites. Being nearer and stronger, these signals drown out the GPS information and prevent the ability to calculate a position, simply making GPS services unavailable.
Conversely, spoofing is a more sophisticated technique that mimics the structure of an authentic satellite signal but transmits falsified timing and positioning data. Similar to jamming, this relies on the spoofed signal being closer and more powerful than the legitimate PNT transmission and can either trick the navigation system into believing it is suddenly in a different position, or alter it slowly over time causing, for example, a ship or aircraft to deviate into an unsafe location.
These DoS and deception techniques are the major classes, but in addition to natural and accidental man-made sources, there also are multiple variations on spoofing techniques and methodologies:
Meaconing: Rebroadcasting of an authentic signal with a delay and shift in position to affect navigation systems.
Replay attacks: Like meaconing, but more targeted to financial transactions, fooling GPS-based time-stamping systems into accepting fraudulent transactions.
Data-level manipulation: Where false orbital data, clock corrections and GPS time is given in addition to the location data. These tend to be harder to detect and cause slow changes. They also can be applied to systems that rely on precise timing, such as financial networks and power grids.
PNT Resilience
PNT resilience standards are set out in the draft IEEE P1952 standard, which specifies technical requirements and expected behaviors for resilient PNT user equipment.
End users can test five behavior levels, which are defined within this standard to enable users to select a level that is appropriate based on their risk tolerance, budget and application criticality.
Photo: PNT Resilience Levels
Level 1 represents a basic ability to detect interference such as jamming, spoofing, or other disruptions, and alert users. Level 2 enables equipment to automatically recover to normal operation when the disruption is no longer present. In level 3, the equipment can maintain acceptable performance during the disruption. This capability is fortified in level 4 by leveraging multiple diverse sources or advanced mitigation techniques. Finally, level 5 enables the equipment to verify that the time or PNT information received is accurate.
Here in the U.S., the NIST 8323.1 Cybersecurity Framework for PNT also offers a comprehensive approach to assessing and mitigating PNT-specific cybersecurity risks. The DHS’ Resilient PNT Conformance Framework and CISA Federal PNT Services Acquisition Guidance are additionally important.
Countering Jamming
Traditional PNT systems are struggling to keep pace and meeting IEEE P1952 to tackle GPS interference requires a sophisticated, multi-source zero-trust architecture that never trusts, always verifies and authenticates, and goes beyond simple signal reception. For mission-critical systems, not only do threats need to be detected, but incoming data need to be validated and alternative sources for PNT incorporated, all within an intelligent sensor fusion system.
If we look first at the DoS jamming technique, here the issue is an inability to detect the medium-Earth orbit (MEO) GPS/GNSS signal in the presence of another more powerful signal.
It is possible, however, to reinforce L-band communications from GPS satellites, and look to stronger signals, notably from low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. While these have less accuracy for timing (GPS/GNSS: <15 ns vs 80 ns for LEO), they are significantly stronger (the Iridium LEO STL signal is 1000x stronger than GNSS) and are more resistant to jamming.
Countering Spoofing
In spoofing, the use of encrypted signals is vital.
GPS signals are open, unencrypted and should not be trusted blindly, and the use of alternative cryptographically secured alternatives is essential to ensure the signal’s origin is legitimate. For example, this is implemented on both the Inmarsat GEO and Iridium LEO satellites used in VIAVI’s SecurePNT and SecureTime services.
Sensor fusion also should be implemented to combine PNT data with information coming from onboard sensors such as inertial measurement units (IMUs) to identify inconsistencies — not just sudden large jumps but continual slight deviations.
Beyond these, navigation message authentication can be implemented, using a public key to verify the satellite-broadcast signature and prove the location, clock corrections and status being transmitted. This is already implemented by Europe’s Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) and makes it very difficult to data-level spoof these satellites.
While using receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM) techniques, calculate position with redundant satellites, excluding one satellite each time to check for consistency of results. ARAIM (advanced RAIM) uses the same technique, but applies it to multiple constellations, for example, GPS and Galileo.
Signal liveliness/consistency checks can be particularly effective against meaconing and replay attacks. These techniques examine the Doppler shift of the signal, with satellites having predictable and specific profiles that will differ significantly when compared to a ground-transmitted signal, which will have a near-zero Doppler shift.
Operating Under D3SOE
The above is a summary of the types of techniques that underpin VIAVI’s SecurePNT and SecureTime services.
SecureTime eGNSS GEO uses an encrypted L-band signal, transmitted from Inmarsat’s GEO satellites to create an enhanced timing service with GNSS authentication and anti-spoofing capabilities and provides sub-5 ns timing accuracy when installed on SecurePNT products.
Conversely, the SecurePNT systems implement multi-source receivers for GNSS backup and multi-band GNSS with GEO-L for outdoor antennas. The PTP grandmaster uses the latest sub-microsecond accuracy PTP protocol and the traditional millisecond range accuracy Network Time Protocol (NTP) to be compatible with virtually all standard IT equipment — also implementing high-speed 25G PTP Ethernet for connection to high-performance AI data center and AI-RAN networks and financial exchanges without creating bottlenecks.
Terrestrial sources, such as a network PTP feed and an optional atomic caesium clock, also can be used for synchronization to increase resilience in the event of a prolonged GPS outage. Nino De Falcis is an experienced business development leader with a strong background in the Global PNT market. Currently serving as the senior director of Global PNT Business Development at VIAVI Solutions since January 2024, he focuses on accelerating global business development and identifying growth opportunities.
Trimble has launched its data collector portfolio. The suite includes the Trimble TSC710 data collector, the Trimble TSC510 controller and the Trimble T110 tablet, built for advanced functionality and integration across field operations.
When used with Trimble Connect, a common data environment and collaboration platform, or Trimble WorksManager civil site management cloud software, users can exchange data between the office and jobsite in near real-time to improve operations.
As the physical interface between Trimble hardware and software, the data collectors translate the physical world into an accurate digital representation and back. They enable connected workflows through Trimble Connect and Trimble WorksManager, giving users real-time access to a single source of truth for all project data. Combined with Trimble field software, users can unlock productivity and efficiency gains with quality control capabilities that help reduce project errors and downtime.
The devices are part of an integrated technology ecosystem of Trimble hardware and software, enabling a single source of truth for all project data. The approach enhances collaboration for professionals in surveying and mapping, construction, utilities, mining, oil and gas and public safety and forensics.
“Trimble is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the field,” said Boris Skopljak, vice president of geospatial at Trimble. “This new data collector portfolio empowers our customers with the tools they need to be productive and stay connected in any environment.”
The portfolio includes:
Trimble TSC710 data collector — Ideal for working with large model data files on a construction site, the TSC710 features a 7-inch touchscreen, a full keyboard and a Qualcomm processor that is faster and uses less battery power than the TSC7. The TSC710 runs on a Google Mobile Services-certified Android 14 operating system. Built for maximizing productivity around connected workflows, the TSC710 is equipped with 5G WWAN support and all-day battery life. The TSC710 has a narrowed neck and is 150 grams lighter than its predecessor.
Trimble TSC510 controller — Engineered to boost field efficiency and optimize workflows, the TSC510 is a robust handheld device with an IP68 rating, compared with IP65 for the TSC5, that enables continuous operation with an all-day battery and a Qualcomm processor up to three times faster than the TSC5, with twice the memory and storage. The TSC510 features a 5-inch screen and runs Android 14. With updated WWAN and Bluetooth modules, teams stay connected for smooth data exchange and real-time project updates.
Trimble T110 tablet — The T110 maximizes field productivity with an Intel 14th-generation Core Ultra 7 processor, built to handle demanding projects and large datasets, including point clouds and imagery. Its rugged design ensures reliable performance in demanding environments. The T110 combines features of the Trimble T10x and Trimble T100 into a single field tablet, including a powerful processor, swappable batteries, 4G LTE WWAN and a Trimble Empower bay enabling communication with Trimble field devices.
Availability
The Trimble data collector portfolio is available now through Trimble’s global network of dealers.
Aero Drop Systems (ADS) has developed Pathfinder, a proprietary autonomous navigation framework designed to reduce dependence on GNSS-based positioning. Pathfinder is signal-resilient, capable of maintaining precision even in complete GNSS dead zones and unaffected by deceptive interference.
At the core of Pathfinder lies an array of sensors and advanced self-regulating logic driven by machine learning. Unlike traditional systems that treat GPS as a singular source of truth, Pathfinder fuses a constant stream of information from multiple internal and external domains and dynamically rebalances itself in real time as it evaluates, cross-verifies, and refines its positional understanding based on an algorithm that classifies the trustworthiness of each data stream.
The result is a self-correcting navigation intelligence that can anticipate changing conditions, isolate false data, and continue to perform when other systems cannot. This allows Pathfinder to sustain highly accurate navigation during satellite connection or radio frequency outages or when being targeted with jamming or spoofing.
Designed as a modular framework, Pathfinder can be integrated across a range of fully autonomous platforms operating on land, at sea, or in the air. Its flexible architecture makes it suitable for both commercial logistics and defense applications, where navigation integrity is critical to mission success.
Currently in the testing phase, Pathfinder is part of ADS’s broader initiative to develop resilient, autonomous logistics technologies capable of performing in contested and complex environments. ADS has confirmed that Pathfinder will serve as the core navigation technology for the platform Aerocrate. Aerocrate is a disposable, autonomous aerial delivery system that enables precise, reliable resupply without requiring recovery operations, staging areas, or active communication with the platform.
Swift Navigation and SimCom are partnering to deliver centimeter-level GNSS accuracy to high-volume robotics applications worldwide. The collaboration integrates Swift’s Skylark precise positioning service with SIMCom’s high-performance SIM66MD and SIM66D GNSS modules.
This combination allows manufacturers and developers using these modules to activate centimeter-accurate satellite positioning, dramatically improving the performance, safety and reliability of robotic lawnmowers, delivery robots, agricultural vehicles, and other autonomous systems. SIMCom’s GNSS modules have compact designs, low power consumption, and wide array of interfaces, making them suitable for seamless integration into diverse IoT and autonomous devices.
Swift’s Skylark Nx RTK, the highest precision variant of Skylark, leverages a proprietary atmospheric model to deliver continuous 1-2 cm accuracy across vast geographic areas, including all of Western Europe. The carrier-grade network eliminates the need for developers to manage base stations or switch between multiple correction providers, simplifying deployment of high-precision outdoor robots at scale.
Key benefits for autonomous navigation:
Autonomous Operation. Centimeter-level accuracy is essential for robots to execute complex tasks, such as following precise mowing patterns, planting seeds with exact spacing, or navigating narrow construction sites.
Safety and Geofencing. Precise localization enables reliable enforcement of virtual boundaries (geofencing), preventing robots from entering restricted zones or colliding with obstacles, which is critical for safety in public or shared spaces.
Improved Efficiency. Reliable 1-2 cm precision reduces path errors, minimizes overlap in coverage (e.g., in farming or lawn care), and ensures the robot consistently reaches its exact target destination, maximizing battery life and operational uptime.
Customers purchasing SIMCom’s SIM66MD and SIM66D modules now receive a six-month free trial of Skylark Nx RTK.
All.Space, a provider of multi-orbit, multi-link satcom omplatforms, has been awarded €950,000 by the European Space Agency’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP). The award is to develop an alternative position, navigation and timing (PNT) capability designed to operate in GNSS-denied environments.
The project will build a proof of concept for alternative PNT, harnessing All.Space’s multi-orbit terminal technology to generate and analyze signals of opportunity that can deliver position and orientation data independently from traditional GNSS sources.
The technology is designed to counter rising threats from GNSS jamming and spoofing – scenarios of increasing concern for both defence and commercial operators. Delivered in partnership with UK-based GNSS experts GMV NSL, the project is aimed at embedding a resilient PNT capability directly within the All.Space terminal, forming part of its growing software as a service (SaaS) portfolio.
“GNSS denial is no longer a hypothetical scenario,” said Paul McCarter, CEO at All.Space. “It’s a growing reality. With this project we’re developing a sovereign alternative that can restore confidence, capability and control in even the most contested environments.”
Once proven, the technology will be matured and commercialized as an integrated service offering, helping customers achieve operational independence and secure navigation in any domain.
ESA’s NAVISP programme is designed to spur innovation in navigation technologies and services across its Member States.
Adtran‘s Oscilloquartz synchronization platforms now support Galileo’s Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA). OSNMA is a GNSS authentication service designed for civilian use.
By verifying that timing data originates from genuine Galileo satellites, OSNMA ensures authenticity and integrity at the point of reception. The new feature, available via firmware update for supported multi-band GNSS receivers, adds an extra layer of protection against spoofing and manipulation, empowering existing deployments to strengthen security without hardware changes or service disruption.
OSNMA support from Adtran brings a new level of GNSS security to critical infrastructure. Available for multi-band GNSS receivers in the OSA 5412, OSA 5422, OSA 5430 and OSA 5440 product lines, the feature integrates with Galileo’s Open Service, using digital signatures and TESLA chain keys to authenticate navigation data. This ensures that timing and positioning information is verified as authentic and protected against spoofing or manipulation.
Adtran’s Oscilloquartz Syncjack probing adds a second layer of defense, detecting record-and-replay attacks – also known as meaconing – by comparing GNSS signals against trusted PTP sources. This dual-layer approach helps identify subtle timing manipulations and delay attacks that traditional receivers may miss.
“From 5G and smart power grids to financial networks and data centers, bringing authentication to GNSS is a game changer for critical infrastructure,” said Gil Biran, GM of Oscilloquartz, Adtran. “By enabling our customers to defend against sophisticated threats, including meaconing, we’re helping them achieve greater timing integrity for their networks. Existing customers can access this new GNSS security feature with a simple firmware update, helping them stay protected as threats continue to evolve.”
Net Insight has launched TN3100E, a TimeNode in the Zyntai family built for markets that demand enhanced timing resilience in challenging environments. The TN3100E delivers multiband GNSS for superior accuracy, supports India’s GNSS IRNSS/NavIC, and adds advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing features.
The TN3100E is the latest TimeNode hardware unit in the Zyntai product family. It provides enhanced GNSS functionalities designed for markets that depend on GNSS as time source in challenging environments where robust protection against interference is essential.
The TN3100E introduces new capabilities for Improved anti-jamming and anti-spoofing. TN3100E fully supports the Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) used by Galileo to verify signal authenticity. This, together with Net Insight’s time-based anti-spoofing techniques, enables the TN3100E to deliver a high level of anti-spoofing protection.
TN3100E is commercially available now. Visit Net Insight’s booth 24 at ITSF 2025 Oct. 27–30 in Prague.
Microchip Technology has released the TimeProvider 4500 v3 grandmaster clock (TP4500) designed to deliver sub-nanosecond accuracy for time distribution across 800 km long-haul optical transmission.
Most current deployments require GNSS at grandmaster sites, but the TP4500 enables highly resilient synchronization without relying on GNSS, providing critical infrastructure operators with complementary positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). The TP4500 is a resilient, terrestrial solution for the absence of GNSS in precise timing, alleviating physical obstruction, security and signal interference costs associated with GNSS-dependent deployments.
The TP4500 supports time reference provided by UTC(k) UTC time provided by national labs. It offers a premium capability that delivers High Accuracy Time Transfer (HA-TT) as defined by ITU-T G.8271.1/Y.1366.1 (01/2024) to meet 5 nanoseconds (ns) time delay over 800 km (equating to 500 picoseconds (ps) average per node, assuming 10 nodes), setting a new industry benchmark for accuracy.
The TP4500 system can be configured with multiple operation modes to form an end-to-end architecture known as virtual PRTC (vPRTC), capable of delivering PRTC accuracy over a long-distance optical network. vPRTC is a carrier-grade architecture for terrestrial distribution of HA-TT, which has been widely deployed in operator networks throughout the world.
TimeProvider 4500 v3 is a key steppingstone towards support of the ITU-T G.8272.2 standard, which defines a coherent network reference time clock (cnPRTC) in amendment 2 (2024). An cnPRTC architecture ensures highly accurate, resilient, and robust timekeeping throughout a telecom network. This allows stable, network-wide ePRTC time accuracy, even during periods of regional or network-wide GNSS unavailability or other failures and interruptions.
Iridium Communications Inc. has unveiled a dedicated, miniature application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), the Iridium PNT ASIC. Engineered for seamless integration into a wide range of electronic devices, the Iridium PNT ASIC will deliver authenticated, pole-to-pole positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) data. It will provide a resilient alternative to traditional GNSS, offering protection against spoofing and jamming for consumer, industrial and government applications.
The Iridium PNT ASIC measures 8 x 8 mm and can be fit into devices ranging in size from consumer products to major infrastructure systems like power grids, transportation systems and telecom networks. When embedded in a device, the Iridium PNT ASIC receives a cryptographically secure time and location data signal from the Iridium satellite network that is 1,000 times more powerful than GPS and capable of working inside buildings. This can help GNSS-dependent applications to not only detect a problem but also maintain operations until it is resolved. The Iridium PNT ASIC will also continuously verify signal integrity, making it a suiitable alternative or primary source of PNT data.
Iridium showcased the ASIC’s capabilities during September’s Jammertest, an annual event that evaluates the resilience of GNSS and alternative PNT technologies under jamming and spoofing attacks. The Iridium PNT ASIC maintained both timing accuracy and reliable navigation during controlled exercises.
Iridium is inviting organizations to apply to participate in beta trials, and, if selected, they will receive Iridium PNT ASIC evaluation kits, enabling early integration and testing. The Iridium PNT ASIC is planned for commercial availability in mid-2026.
Safran Electronics & Defense had unveiled Skydel NAVWAR, a software solution designed to protect against hostile UAVs by disrupting their navigation systems.
As the core of Safran’s counter-UAV (C-UAV) systems, Skydel NAVWAR disrupts UAV navigation by simulating authentic GNSS signals, providing nations and organizations with advanced protection for their most critical assets.
Skydel NAVWAR can be deployed on tactical platforms and integrated with sensors and command-and-control systems, allowing operators to conduct remote spoofing operations without being physically present at the target location.
“Protecting national sovereignty requires more than just technology — it demands trusted systems that empower countries to take control of their own security,” said Maxime Gorlier, director of positioning, navigation and timing at Safran Electronics & Defense. “With Skydel NAVWAR, we are giving our partners the capability to safeguard their airspace, defend critical infrastructure and ensure resilience in the face of evolving threats.”
The system features a secure application programming interface, hardened operating system and field-tested durability designed for demanding operational conditions. It supports all major global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS and space-based augmentation systems, as well as emerging low-Earth orbit (LEO) signals.
The software can simulate thousands of satellites in real time using commercial off-the-shelf hardware and operates at a 1,000 Hz iteration rate.
Safran designed the system to enable defense integrators to build sovereign anti-drone capabilities, enhancing national autonomy in countering UAV threats.
Septentrio, part of Hexagon, launched a miniaturized timing module designed to bring nanosecond-precision timing to high-volume applications requiring strict size and weight (SWaP) constraints.
The mosaic-G5 T measures 23 mm x 16 mm and weighs 2.2 g, making it suitable for data centers, telecommunications networks, satellite communications, financial institutions and other critical infrastructure requiring precise time synchronization.
The module receives signals from multiple GNSS satellite constellations and includes anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology to maintain service continuity. It features built-in cybersecurity capabilities and dual pulse-per-second outputs for high-resolution timing.
“For over 25 years, we have been producing world-recognized timing receivers, serving critical applications and major industry players,” said Yasmine Hunter, product manager at Septentrio. “With our next-generation technology, we are now bringing precise and resilient time in an ultra-compact form factor to high-volume applications.”
The receiver operates across multiple frequencies, enabling high precision even in areas with radio interference. It supports clock and frequency input for synchronization and is ready to support Galileo High Accuracy Service. The module remains compatible with other correction services that enhance timing accuracy.
