IEEE Article Reports on DOT-Sponsored Tests of GPS Backup Technologies, Echo Ridge/Globalstar Participation
May 20, 2020
A recent article in IEEE Spectrum reported on the March 2020 U.S. Department of Transportation-sponsored demonstrations of technologies to backup or complement GPS in instances when GPS is unavailable. The article pointed out that in addition to navigation, many essential applications, such as banking and electrical power grids, rely on GPS to function, and finding a reliable backup has become critical. Echo Ridge and partner Globalstar were among the eleven participants selected by the DOT to demonstrate alternatives to provide positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information if GPS is not available The IEEE article summarized the technologies of several of the demonstrators and whether they were oriented to positioning, timing, or both. Echo Ridge/Globalstar GPS demonstrated their Augmented Positioning System, which produces PNT information from ordinary Globalstar communications signals and does not require adding infrastructure. The DOT held the demonstrations at two sites: NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, where the Echo Ridge/Globalstar demonstration took place, and in Massachusetts at Joint Base Cape Cod. (https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/satellites/us-transportation-officials-seek-alternative-tech-for-gps)
U.S. Army Contract Award for Low-SWaP Handheld Software-Defined Radios
Oct 09, 2019
Announced in: U.S. Dept of Defense Contracts for Sept. 25, 2019
Echo Ridge LLC, Sterling, Virginia, was awarded a $12,960,856 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for purchase of hardware and software development of Low-Size, Weight, and Power handheld software-defined radio platform. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 24, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-19-D-0007).
Globalstar-Echo Ridge Agreement Advances New Assured PNT Technology and Service
Jul 08, 2019
Echo Ridge, LLC and Globalstar, Inc. of Covington, LA (NYSE American: GSAT) have signed an agreement to collaborate, share data, and jointly pursue market opportunities for a new assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology that can backup and/or complement GPS when GPS is unavailable or unreliable. The agreement includes joint assessment of commercial and government market requirements and use cases for an assured PNT service based on the new technology, Augmented Positioning System (APS). The envisioned service responds to increasing user concerns about GPS vulnerability and the critical importance of accurate PNT information to support essential services and infrastructure. The companies plan to offer limited trial service to selected customers beginning in 2019. The underlying APS technology, which has been successfully demonstrated, uses ordinary signals from communications satellites (not special positioning/navigation signals, such as GPS) to produce accurate position and timing information in compatible user devices. The technology incorporates multiple features that boost availability and reliability. No new infrastructure is needed; Globalstar’s constellation of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites and Echo Ridge software and compatible devices at the user end provide the building blocks for the service.