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Tag: GPS
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NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies Collaborate to Develop a Solution for GNSS/GPS-Denied Environments
The combined offering will pair VectorNav’s Inertial Navigation Systems with NAL Research’s Iridium STL® satellite receivers, leveraging signals 1,000 times stronger than GPS.
MANASSAS, VA and DALLAS, TX – April 30, 2025 – NAL Research and VectorNav Technologies, two U.S.-based leaders in assured position, navigation, and timing (APNT) solutions, announced today a joint development to produce Iridium® STL (Satellite Time & Location)-aided Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) designed to meet the increasing demand for resilient PNT in GNSS-denied environments. Both companies will be exhibiting and discussing the collaboration during the SOF Week Exposition in Tampa, FL (May 5–8) — NAL Research (#3005) and VectorNav (#1941).
GPS/GNSS signals are increasingly susceptible to vulnerabilities such as jamming/spoofing, outages, and other challenges. An alternative source of APNT is crucial for enabling continuous access to accurate location data and time synchronization. Unlike other APNT sources, NAL’s APNT receivers are integrated with Iridium STL service, which leverages a low-earth orbit (LEO) transmitted signal approximately 1,000 times stronger than traditional GNSS and is capable of penetrating indoors and other GNSS-obstructed areas. Operators of uncrewed systems, in particular, can benefit from implementing an INS solution that leverages NAL’s Iridium STL-enabled APNT receivers to maintain critical operations in areas where GPS/GNSS are denied or degraded.
For such applications, VectorNav is leveraging its VN-210E GNSS-Aided INS, which combines a tactical-grade IMU with an L1/L2 GNSS receiver in a miniature, board-mount package. Designed for maximum modularity, the VN-210E hosts VectorNav’s tightly coupled INS and includes four serial ports that enable simultaneous integration with multiple external PNT-aiding sources, such as NAL Research’s ALTM GEN2 Mini Iridium STL receiver. When paired, the system provides a high-rate and continuous position, velocity, and attitude solution—even in dynamic applications and in GNSS-denied environments.
“This complete offering delivered through our high velocity collaboration with VectorNav will deliver dynamic innovation to the emerging APNT market,” said NAL Research President, Robert Bills. “Our partnership streamlines our customers’ implementation of alternative APNT sources. We look forward to helping government and enterprise users achieve operational success by enabling the ability to rapidly implement highly accurate and reliable navigation solutions.”
NAL Research and VectorNav will continue to focus on co-developing product solutions that combine VectorNav’s industrial and tactical-grade INS with NAL Research’s Iridium STL receivers. Future offerings will focus on reducing SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost), increasing environmental resilience, and supporting MIL-STD compliance for defense and aerospace applications.
“The demand for robust APNT solutions, manufactured at scale and capable of supporting dynamic autonomous systems, is growing rapidly—particularly in the critical maritime domain,” says Jakub Maslikowski, VP of Business Development for VectorNav. “This collaboration with NAL Research will help to realize the emerging LEO satellite PNT capability and strengthen the U.S. and allied nations’ resilience when operating in contested environments.”
To learn more about this collaboration between NAL Research and VectorNav, reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]. If you are attending SOF Week in Tampa, FL (May 5–8, 2025), do not miss the chance to meet in person—visit VectorNav at Booth #1941 and NAL Research at Booth #3005.
ABOUT NAL RESEARCH
NAL Research is a pioneer in delivering trusted and resilient connectivity and PNT solutions—designed to meet the dynamic communications, data intelligence, location, and timing needs of the future. In 2024, NAL Research and Blue Sky Network strategically merged to optimize operations and provide a diverse enterprise and government customer base with transformative solutions and enhanced service and support. NAL and Blue Sky Network’s combined portfolio now includes emerging satellite and mobile technology products, satellite-based tracking systems, powerful APNT modules, intelligent software applications, IoT tracking, and two-way devices enabling seamless global connectivity. For more information visit www.nalresearch.com.
ABOUT VECTORNAV TECHNOLOGIES
VectorNav Technologies is a global leader in inertial navigation solutions. Since its founding in 2008, VectorNav has provided systems integrators in the military, aerospace, marine, and robotics industries with SWaP-C optimized, high-performance navigation systems. VectorNav develops state-of-the-art inertial sensors and GNSS-aided solutions by applying industry-leading digital filtering and sensor calibration techniques, with decades of field experience in aerospace applications, redefining what’s possible in today’s inertial navigation technology. For more information visit www.vectornav.com.
Media Contacts
Kaelyn Banks
Marketing & Communications
NAL Research
[email protected]Zane Woodson
Director of Marketing
VectorNav Technologies
[email protected] -
3 Reasons to Integrate a Secondary APNT Solution into Your GPS-Reliant Operations
Over 900 million GPS receivers are found in assets across America¹. Industries who rely on this technology alone risk problems with operational integrity, as GPS/GNSS signals are increasingly vulnerable to signal interference, outages, inaccuracies, jamming, and spoofing.
What is APNT?
Assured positioning, navigation, and timing (APNT) solutions deliver precise location, data, and time synchronization from the GPS satellite constellation. When GPS/GNSS becomes unavailable, an alternate solution is needed to maintain critical operations. APNT solutions enable seamless and continuous operation for systems that use GPS—ensuring reliable access to accurate location, navigation, and timing information in situations that require it.
3 Reasons to Use an APNT Device
1. Ultra-small, incredibly powerful
Maintaining operational integrity often requires fitting solutions into other small devices or not adding additional weight. Measuring as small as two square inches, NAL offers APNT solutions that are low size, weight, and power (SWaP) modules and easily embed into existing infrastructure. For cost-effective operations, products such as SHOUT nano 500 are fully integrated with Alternative, Location, and Timing Modules (ALTM) and GNSS receivers, resulting in fewer equipment needs.
2. 100% global coverage
GPS/GNSS signals used indoors or in remote environments can be obstructed or limited. Seamless coverage is important when it comes to critical infrastructure, transportation systems, and defense operations. APNT solutions must ensure continuous and accurate timing and location data for high-value assets. NAL’s ALTM modules, for example, are powered by Iridium Satellite Time and Location® (Iridium STL®). This 100 percent global service is built specifically to overcome GPS/GNSS vulnerabilities by leveraging a signal approximately 1,000 times stronger than GPS/GNSS, which can penetrate indoors and other GNSS-obstructed areas.
3. Designed for any industry
Whether you’re managing a fleet of autonomous vehicles, overseeing logistics in contested military environments, or navigating shipping vessels, APNT solutions need to be truly versatile and customizable for your industry-specific operation.
As industries become more dependent on GPS/GNSS, a reliable alternative APNT solution and strategy are necessary for maintaining situational awareness and essential timing.
NAL Research is the leader in global satellite communications, with APNT solutions designed for mobile users and systems with demanding SWaP constraints. NAL’s advanced and compact APNT solutions integrate into a variety of applications and devices for uninterrupted performance. With a family of low-SWaP ALTM modules powered by Iridium’s global satellite network, NAL offers continuous access to accurate location, data, and time synchronization in GPS/GNSS-vulnerable environments. Learn more about how NAL can protect your crucial operations.
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APNT Pioneer NAL Research Showcases SHOUT nano 500 at Global Event in Norway
In September, over 200 participants representing 20 countries met in Andøya, Norway for Jammertest, an annual event allowing public and private sectors to test the resiliency of their positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) products against GNSS jamming/spoofing attacks. The global event features companies committed to developing cutting-edge technical solutions and challenging their systems against both unintentional and intentional attacks. NAL Research provided our real-time, two-way SHOUT nano 500 handheld messaging and tracking solution to test and demonstrate our powerful assured PNT (APNT) technology.
SHOUT nano 500, with integrated Iridium STL® service, enables continuous visibility even in GPS/GNSS-denied environments by leveraging a signal approximately 1,000 stronger than traditional GNSS. When deployed at Jammertest, the signal proved capable of overcoming rigorous GNSS challenges, providing the device with crucial accuracy and reliability throughout the event.
“Once GNSS was spoofed, SHOUT nano 500 maintained a reliable position at all times,“ said NAL Research APNT Capabilities Manager Rob Gillette. “Even as the tests became more sophisticated, the Iridium STL signal was completely unaffected, proving its ability to provide reliable PNT in GNSS-challenged environments.”
The low size, weight and power (SWaP) SHOUT nano 500 is among a comprehensive portfolio of APNT products and services enabling customers to reliably communicate, track and manage assets from any location in the world in GNSS-challenged environments.
As the industry’s leading provider of Iridium STL-enabled APNT solutions, NAL Research equips government and enterprise customers with the solutions and strategy needed in today’s unpredictable APNT ecosystem.
To learn more about our APNT solutions, visit https://apntbynal.com/ or contact [email protected].