With location awareness key to so many wireless revenue opportunities, many companies are looking to enhance the capabilities of GPS technology. The latest offering comes from UK defence manufacturer BAe Systems, which has created a new positioning system harnessing existing signals such as Wi-FI, cellular, radio and TV.
Called Navsop (Navigation via Signals of Opportunity), the system is designed to augment or even replace GPS, which has the disadvantages inherent in relying on satellite signals ‘ poor indoor penetration and vulnerability to disruption. BAe says Navsop is highly resistant to hostile interference such as jamming, and has a learning capability, steadily adding signals ‘ even those which are initially unidentified to increase accuracy.
The technology can also work in environments which are difficult for GPS, such as dense urban areas and within large buildings, and is also suited to remote areas like the Arctic, as it can pick up signals from LEO (low earth orbit) satellites.
‘The potential applications of this technology are already generating huge excitement in both civilian and military circles,’ said Dr Ramsey Faragher, a principal scientist from BAe Systems’ Advanced Technology Center, as reported by IDG News.
Although initial applications are likely to be military ‘ such as supporting soldiers in very remote areas or improving security for unmanned vehicles ‘ BAe also foresees civilian uses, especially in emergency response.