Developing a new system that could replace GPS.

Scientists are testing an alternative to the Global Positioning System (GPS), using cellular signals as an emergency backup in case an aircraft's GPS signal is jammed or interrupted.

The new system can pick up signals from cell towers from an altitude of 24,300m - Photo: Sandia National Laboratories

The project, conducted by researchers at Sandia National Laboratory and Ohio State University (USA), aims to create a safety net for airborne navigation systems.

According to LiveScience on November 26, the research team used receivers suspended in the air to detect radio waves from communication satellites and cell towers associated with the aircraft. They then used this information to provide navigation data to the pilot.

You may also like

Bringing atomic clocks to sea paves the way for next-generation GPS.The device operates reliably in the field, maintaining high accuracy, opening up the potential for upgrading GPS and next-generation positioning systems.

The sun 'explodes,' posing a risk of disrupting global communications and satellites.Mexico warned that increased solar activity could disrupt telecommunications, GPS, and satellites, but insisted it would not affect human health.

Technology stocks become a "negative factor" for the market: FPT, GEE, and CMG all decline.Technology stocks continued to face selling pressure on July 2nd as capital flows weakened, with many large-cap stocks such as FPT, GEE, and CMG falling in price. Across the market, the VN-Index lost 0.86 points due to increased profit-taking towards the end of the session.

The research team attached antenna systems to weather balloons and launched them into the stratosphere (at an altitude of 6-50km above the ground) between satellites and cell towers to detect their individual signals.

In theory, this antenna system could function as an emergency beacon if the pilot loses GPS signal.

Although GPS is highly accurate, it is not without flaws. GPS signals can be deliberately jammed in and around combat zones. Hackers can also "spoof" GPS signals to send false information about location or flight direction to pilots.

Furthermore, GPS systems can malfunction or stop working altogether. People could be in danger if a commercial aircraft loses its GPS signal. Therefore, the team believes a backup system is essential.

Currently, the research team still has to manually determine which satellite is sending which signal based on available reference data. In the future, the team will create an algorithm that allows antenna systems to automatically identify satellites and use satellite and cell tower data to determine a person's location and speed in real time.

Previous tests of this technology were limited to altitudes of 1,500-2,000m. However, the research team's new project has taken the antenna system to an altitude of 24,300m. If the system can send back reliable navigation data from this altitude, it could provide practical benefits for air travel .

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a copy of the Letter of Credence for the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.On the afternoon of July 2nd, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Mr. Le Cong Dung, Director of the State Protocol and Foreign Interpretation Department, received a copy of the Letter of Credence from Ms. Jennifer Wicks, Ambassador of the United States of America to Vietnam.

Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung visits and works in Minnesota, USA.From June 28-30, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States, Nguyen Quoc Dung, paid a visit and worked in Minnesota.

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Although the system hovers at an altitude of 24,300m to receive better signals from both the communication satellite above and the cell tower on the ground, this is not a perfect method. Satellites focus radio waves down to Earth for optimal signal reception on the ground, so a strong signal is not always guaranteed at the weather balloon's altitude.

Therefore, the research team needs to improve the detection capabilities and speed to account for the possibility of this error occurring in the future.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-develop-new-system-that-can-replace-gps-20241126113215133.htm