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What’s new: A demonstration combining two terrestrial PNT systems – the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) and eLoran.
Why it’s important: The two systems can support each other synergistically and provide a very robust alternative to GPS for the entire landmass of the United States and up to 1,000 miles offshore.
What else to know:
- The two systems do not need additional spectrum and provide excellent frequency diversity
- eLoran uses an internationally reserved low frequency, 100kHz.
- BPS uses multiple existing TV frequencies which span from 30MHz to 3GHz (30,000kHz to 3,000,000kHz)
- BPS uses existing transmission infrastructure. eLoran can use existing AM radio towers or their guy wires for transmission (though dedicated towers 900 miles apart might be preferable in most cases).
- BPS can use eLoran timing to synchronize an infinite number of system and end user devices. The small number of eLoran transmitters required to serve a large area like CONUS have organic cesium clocks and can sync with UTC via fiber, TWSTT, GPS common view, and can self synch using TWLFTT if needed.
- NAB and UrsaNav are RNT Foundation members. RNT Foundation member and advisor, Dr. Pat Diamond will moderate the panel at NAB, and GEN William Shelton, USAF (ret), a member of the RNT Foundation Board of Directors, will be a panel member.
NAB, Sinclair, UrsaNav Demonstrate GPS Backup System
Aiming to safeguard critical infrastructure from potential disruptions, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Sinclair Broadcast Group, and UrsaNav have unveiled a demonstration of a complementary system designed to bolster the resilience of the vulnerable Global Positioning System. The demonstration, held at the NAB Show this week in Las Vegas, showcased a terrestrial-based alternative to GPS.
The system combines the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS), enabled by ATSC 3.0 or NextGen TV, with eLoran technology. This pairing offers a redundant timing and positioning solution, mitigating the risks associated with GPS vulnerabilities, proponents say.
