Article link: https://spacenews.com/gps-startup-bets-on-advanced-signal-to-counter-jamming-threats/
July 17 2024
oneNav is a startup that developed an L5 direct receiver for commercial use in smartphone and internet-of-things devices. L5 is the GPS’ newest civilian signal that is currently designed to operate at a frequency used only for aviation safety services that compliments the existing L1 and L2 frequencies. oneNav’s receiver directly connects to L5 signals without having to connect to older L1 signals, which makes it resistant to jamming attempts. oneNav has conducted studies on jamming on L1 and L5 signals in areas with frequent GPS interference an found that L5 was immune to interference. The US Space Force is looking to harness commercial innovations in Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and oneNav is marketing its receiver to the US military. The military could use L5 receivers in drones, precision-guided weapons, mobile radios, and troop trackers.
According to oneNav’s CEO Steve Poizner, “GPS/GNSS is the only global solution using existing infrastructure available today for both civilians and warfighters.” Full operational capability with 24 GPS satellites broadcasting L5 is not expected until 2027.
GPS is an extremely vulnerable capability that can be exposed to jamming which could inhibit its functionality. For example, if GPS were to be disrupted while flying a military drone, the drone controller could lose its ability to accurately track the location of its device. This could lead to inaccurate routing and mission failure. Actors who may be interested in disrupting GPS for US military operations include nations or adversaries who care to disrupt the effectiveness of missions. oneNav understands the cybersecurity threats and vulnerability of GPS and is working towards a solution that will prevent jamming from happening.
I am intrigued by the effectiveness of L5 receivers in preventing jamming and wonder how oneNav will continue with its cybersecurity measures as the technology continues its development. L5 is immune to jamming now, but I wonder if its vulnerabilities have just not been exposed yet and more measures will need to be put into place to prevent jamming of it.