Developing PNT Technologies and Solutions for the Upcoming Future

In current times, the role of technology is becoming an integral part of every industry as well as of human lives. From cell phones, internet-connected vehicles, laptops, and fitness devices, the use of technologies, like the Internet of Things, has given several solutions to modern-day problems and is constantly getting developed.

Today, the most complex data, which makes the gadgets tick and modern systems work perfectly, are mainly based on positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology.

What is PNT technology?

PNT technology is a combination of different constituent capabilities, as explained below. Below is the in-depth information about each.

• Positioning: It refers to the capabilities of determining the accurate locations of an object, person, and signal.
• Navigation: It refers to the capability to scan the desired locations and apply modifications to speed, orientation, and course for attending the desired position around anywhere in the world.
• Timing: It refers to the capability to determine the accurate timing of the travel along the route and provide the correct local time in any part of the world.

Using the powerful three tools of the information is helping in solving difficult operations and providing accurate location and time for the satellite communications. The PNT technology has provided humanity the option of viewing the planet from a different perspective.

Positioning systems like global positioning system (GPS) can be found across the world today. Generally, it is used for industry projects, personal navigations, and many more. PNT technology is in everyone’s pocket today, allowing people to utilize and access the geographic data directly from apps such as Facebook, Foursquare, and Google Maps.

The devices automatically get connected with the information of the global time, which is sent by the satellites and helps people to navigate the places they are searching.

From a research perspective, industrial and government, PNT technology is being used by every type of sector. In most places, it is used for monitoring and tracking the valuable data of different fields like space science, agriculture, law enforcement, and many others.

Now, the use of PNT technology is also becoming crucial for military sectors. Army uses the PNT technology for checking the situations, scanning, and locking into targets, commanding military drones and units.

The military mission dependable on the use of GPS systems is often found to be successful. So, the question being asked by the military sector is how PNT technology can be more developed for advanced functioning.

Emerging PNT Method and Technologies

• Increasing use of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites

LEO satellites are often smaller in size compared to geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) satellites. They are also new and innovative satellites that are released in orbit. There are several types of satellites launched by different innovative companies like Blue Origin, One Web, and SpaceX.

LEO satellites are cheaper compared to GEO satellites and others. The current satellite which is used for PNT communications is the GEO satellite.

With the use of LEO satellites for PNT communications, the cost of replacing and repairing will be lesser compared to GEO. Also, the signal strength of LEO is much stronger.

• Creation of system called open architectural

The system of open architecture is cheaper and more resilient compared to other closed systems. An open system can help in improving the capabilities of play and play to quickly adopt the requirements and disrupt technologies to present systems.

Open architecture can help to increase the capabilities of the PNT by directly switching the whole board instead of redesigning the complete system.

· (eLORAN) for providing backup support to GPS

Enhanced long-range navigation (eLORAN) is a navigation system with low frequency. It works on the types of land-based communication networks that improve resiliency. Also, it is highly challenging to interfere or disrupt the signal of eLORAN.

Compared with LORAN, it has several different enhancements for receiving and transmitting. It also has additional pulses, which transmit extra data like DGPS corrections. It makes the eLORAN a perfect backup option for GPS communications.

• Combining inertial sensors and atomic clocks

The combination of inertial sensors and atomic clocks will help in using the encrypted transactions even in such environments where the chances of enemies denying to use a GPS constellation is high.

Today, many people are dependable on GPS signals. Both people and military people are taking help of the GPS signal and using them as the standard timing.

The enemies know about the dependency of the military on GPS and can use them as their potential weapons. With the innovation of inertial sensors and atomic clocks, the dependency on a GPS for PNT needs can be easily ended.

Market Insight on PNT Technology

Currently, private companies and government agencies working in the station of the PNT technology are highly engaged with the development and research initiatives for offering accurate position, navigation, and timing technology (A-PNT).

As per the reports of BIS Research, the global satellite position, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology market, the value was at $961.7 million in 2020. Now it is expected to touch $8,817.3 million by 2031, with a CAGR of 22.45% during 2021–2031.

The main reason for increasing the growth of the PNT technology market is the requirement for resilient navigation, positioning, and timing data for every person’s application in the defense and commercial sector.

The major factor driving the market growth is the need for resilient navigation, positioning, and timing data for everyday applications in the commercial and defense sector.

Conclusion

None of the abovementioned technologies could completely replace the GPS. However, they can provide important options that military and government engineers can use for making PNT more effective and better. It will allow the governments and military to get better performance for their specific needs and requirements.