Innovative Position Navigation and Timing

Echo Ridge proposes to study the utility of non-GNSS satellite-based broadcasts as additional RF sources to provide PNT in GPS-unavailable environments.The capability will be used in conjunction with two on-going Air Force-sponsored efforts; one addressing a dismount need where LEO satellite broadcasts are currently being used to provide PNT in a commercial handheld UE devices, and a second directed at developing and prototyping portions of a GPS-complementary PNT system architecture which incorporates dynamic spectrum access (DSA), LPI/LPD (low probability of intercept/low probability of detection) broadcast signal sources, and a complete space-control -user segment architecture.The Phase I tasks will evaluate non-GNSS satellite candidates in a trade space format including modeling and simulation to predict achievable improvements in PNT accuracy and trust.This work will be done through participation in the Catalyst Campus technology accelerator.Phase II will develop and demonstrate the capability in laboratory and field environments, leveraging work from the two cited Air Force on-going efforts.Four transition opportunities will be pursued, spanning a short-term opportunity to add robustness and trust to the handheld device to be delivered on an awarded contract, to a mid-term USN weapons systems opportunity, to longer term opportunities to participate in NTS-3 experiments.