Ensuring PNT Resiience

With CARMEN+ support the research team has characterized the timing properties of modulation from the Starlink constellation in order to assess its suitability for providing opportunistic pseudorange-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) as a backup to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). With the same purpose, the team has also uncovered key features of the OneWeb signal structure and has demodulated its data for the first time. The findings have indicated that opportunistic pseudorange-based PNT is not feasible using Starlink signals without aiding from a network of ground receivers. But given such a network, the team has achieved 10-meter-level positioning and 30-ns timing using Starlink signals. The next phase will extend this project along several lines: (i) characterize the modulation timing stability of OneWeb as the team has done with Starlink, (ii) deploy a network of 2 or 3 reference stations so that all ephemeris and transmission time modeling errors may be eliminated, (iii) employ super-resolution techniques to more precisely estimate modulation (e.g., Starlink frame) time of arrival, and (iv) analyze the pattern of assigned beams and side beams from Starlink satellites to predict how many unique satellites would typically be available for a PNT solution, and with what dilution of precision. For these studies, the team will capture and analyze broadband Starlink, OneWeb, and Kuiper data with their own RF equipment from multiple stations. The team believes that the outcome of this work will be of great importance, namely, a backup PNT system with global reach, decimeter positioning, nanosecond timing, inherent signal authentication (via cross-checking unpredictable broadband payload data and against a reference network), and improved resistance to jamming compared to traditional GNSS. Furthermore, the team aims to transfer this technology to their project partners for commercialization.

• Record URL:
  • https://utc.engineering.osu.edu/ensuring-pnt-resilience

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $130,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348327

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Center for Automated Vehicle Research with Multimodal Assured Navigation

  Ohio State University
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210
• Project Managers:

  Ghasemi, Hamid

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas at Austin

  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Principal Investigators:

  Humphreys, Todd

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer security; Positioning; Satellite communication; Satellite navigation systems; Signal processing
• Identifier Terms: Global Navigation Satellite System
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Security and Emergencies; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01981607
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Automated Vehicle Research with Multimodal Assured Navigation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348327
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 2 2026 7:15PM