Blog

Amid rising conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and intensifying geopolitical competition between the US and China, awareness has grown about the vulnerability of GPS and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In response, researchers are working on more resilient and precise alternatives.

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a navigation technology that uses signals from satellites orbiting the Earth to find a device's exact location. It connects with multiple satellites, allowing users to determine their position anywhere on the planet. Commonly used in smartphones, cars, and other devices, GPS is essential for navigation, mapping, and various location-based services.

But at times, GPS can fail us because of these limitations:

• Signal interference in urban areas

In densely built settings, tall buildings can block or reflect satellite signals, leading to inaccurate location data.

• Indoor and underground limitations

GPS relies on clear line-of-sight communication with satellites, which becomes difficult or impossible indoors or underground. Enclosed spaces, such as tunnels or parking garages, often prevent GPS from working effectively.

• Weather disturbance

Severe weather conditions, like heavy rain or thunderstorms, can degrade the quality of GPS signals.

• Interference from other electronics

Radio signals, high-powered transmitters, or even some industrial equipment can disrupt the accuracy of GPS, leading to errors in location tracking.

• Limited Accuracy in Remote Areas

In very remote locations, particularly areas with few nearby GPS satellites or poor infrastructure support, the system may provide less accurate data.

• Susceptibility to malicious acts

Spoofing and jamming have disrupted both military and civilian GPS, causing issues in commercial aviation and maritime activities.

Better than GPS? Check out these 8 alternatives

Due to GPS vulnerabilities, there is growing support for these emerging technologies:

1. Silicon photonics

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in the US have used silicon photonics to develop atom interferometry, a precise method for measuring acceleration. This advancement could lead to a quantum compass for navigation when GPS is unavailable. Traditionally large and expensive, atom interferometers are now undergoing miniaturization, making them more affordable. Sandia’s new modulator reduces unwanted sidebands, improving performance and lowering costs. By integrating these components into silicon photonic chips, they aim to make quantum navigation technology more practical and cheaper.

2. Atomic clock

The Netherlands-based SuperGPS project aims to create an alternative positioning system that harnesses the mobile telecommunication sector’s networks instead of satellites. The system connects mobile networks to highly precise atomic clocks, allowing for the broadcast of accurately timed messages via existing fiber-optic networks, similar to how GPS satellites operate. By using a wide bandwidth of radio signals, the technology improves accuracy by minimizing signal reflections caused by buildings. The prototype demonstrated a positioning accuracy of 10 centimeters, which could enhance various applications such as the autonomous automotive market and advanced communication systems.

3. Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLORAN)

eLORAN is a modern version of a US-developed radio navigation system from the 1940s, using terrestrial beacons for stronger, more jamming-resistant signals than GPS. However, it mainly covers land and coastal areas, needs significant infrastructure, and only provides horizontal positioning. The U.S. military is exploring eLORAN for broader U.S. coverage with fewer stations. Terrain-based navigation (TBN) uses pre-mapped terrain to guide systems but struggles in flat areas and can be affected by changes from bombing.

4. Quantum navigation

The UK is harnessing quantum navigation, which tracks the movement of a single atom at extremely low temperatures. Unlike satellite systems that rely on signals from space, quantum navigation is implemented directly in each vehicle, making it more resistant to signal drift and interception. Recent tests aboard a Navy ship, a jet, and the London underground showed that quantum navigation is difficult to jam. Although promising, quantum navigation systems are unlikely to fully replace GPS soon due to their current size and reliance on ultra-cold atoms.

5. Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)

Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) are a key non-GPS technology used by airlines as a backup to GPS. INS relies on gyroscopes, accelerometers, magnetometers, and barometric altimeters to provide accurate positioning and navigation data. However, INS has two main drawbacks: it requires initial positioning data from GPS and can drift over time without regular GPS updates. New quantum-enabled INS technologies might reduce this drift, but it is still too early to determine their effectiveness.

6. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

LiDAR uses laser pulses to create a 3D map of the environment, detecting obstacles and measuring depth accurately. When paired with INS, it can also track position, orientation, and speed. Integrating LiDAR with other technologies like Visual Positioning Systems (VPS) and radar can further boost its capabilities. However, LiDAR requires prior mapping of the area, which can be costly. It also needs a clear line of sight to work effectively, making it less effective in poor visibility or over long distances.

7. Visual Positioning System (VPS)

A key area of development in camera vision and technology is Visual Positioning Systems (VPS), used by major companies like Google, Meta, and Apple. VPS works by comparing camera images with a pre-mapped database of pixels to determine location and navigation. This system relies on accurate geospatial data for persistent tracking. However, mapping an entire city or region is costly and logistically challenging. In wartime, damage to landmarks can render pre-mapped pixels inaccurate. Therefore, leading tech companies often combine VPS with other camera design and technology solutions to enhance reliability and accuracy in various conditions.

8. Satellite alternatives

Companies like Xona and TrustPoint are developing new commercial positioning and navigation services using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. SpaceX’s Starlink satellites are also being explored for this purpose. LEO satellites offer faster signal transmission, reduced latency, stronger signals, and better accuracy compared to medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites. However, LEO satellites come with challenges, such as high costs, shorter lifespans, and frequent replacements. They also face higher risks of cyberattacks, signal interference, and collisions with space debris due to their lower orbit and crowded environment.

As one of the Top 20 EMS companies in the world, IMI has over 40 years of experience in providing electronics manufacturing and technology solutions. 

We are ready to support your business on a global scale. 

Our proven technical expertise, worldwide reach, and vast experience in high-growth and emerging markets make us the ideal global manufacturing solutions partner. 

Let's work together to build our future today.