Expert Opinions: Projection of 2017 PNT developments
Q: What significant new developments in positioning, navigation or timing can we anticipate in 2017?
A: With increasing focus on robust and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), the industry must respond with improved access to accurate and trusted position and timing, particularly for the warfighter. For military vehicles, this translates to a requirement for improved navigation systems that will provide commanders and onboard vehicle electronic systems with resilient PNT in contested environments. Secure and more robust navigation systems must now, more than ever, assure position and timing regardless of access to satellites.
A: Global navigation satellite systems have continually evolved, and 2017 should be no exception. With the scheduled launch of GPS III satellites, the world will see two new signals: M-code from a directional antenna and L1C (new civil signal). The European Galileo system may become operational. Russia is not expected to launch the new GLONASS K-2 satellites in 2017, but it’s not far off. Developers, integrators and users will have lots of options in 2017!
A: With approximately 65 percent of mass-market receiver chipsets already capable of multi-constellation tracking — and with this figure set to rise significantly in the near future — the demand for cost-effective but highly capable consumer goods with GNSS capabilities is clearly growing at an exponential rate. The forthcoming civilian signals offer huge opportunity to many sectors, but also present a challenge in the test and validation of new products, which will require highly capable and flexible simulation equipment.
A: Next year will bring huge strides in autonomous navigation. Multi-band high-precision GNSS will be a key enabler for robotics applications. Customers are demanding navigation solutions that are accurate, fast, robust and affordable. Multi-band enables convergence times measured in seconds, not minutes. Rapid time to first fix and reacquiring fix quickly after passing under obstructions will be essential for autonomous driving applications. Low-cost L1/L2 RTK GNSS will help bring these autonomous robotic applications to life.
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