Metropolitan Beacon System

Accurate, Secure, Resilient PNT

Expanding the reach of geolocation infrastructure

Introducing NextNav TerraPoiNT

NextNav TerraPoiNT is a resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solution which supplements and enhances existing GPS capabilities. Using a dedicated, terrestrial network of transmitters, NextNav delivers critical PNT services where GPS can’t—indoors and in urban areas. Unlike GPS, NextNav TerraPoiNT is secure, offering fully encrypted signals resistant to spoofing and jamming.

How TerraPoiNT works

TerraPoiNT is a Metropolitan Beacon System which uses terrestrial transmitters deployed around a service area to triangulate against the location of a device. The proximity of the transmitters makes the signal strength 100,000 times that of GPS.

How TerraPoiNT works

TerraPoiNT features

NextNav offers TerraPoiNT as a comprehensive PNT solution to augment existing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies. The individual position, navigation, and timing elements of TerraPoiNT are also offered individually, delivering 3D positioning (x/y/z axis) and/or timing as a service for varied use cases, including GPS-denied environments.

Network

The TerraPoiNT network uses long-range, low-cost broadcast beacons to transmit ranging signals using NextNav’s 920-928MHz near-nationwide licensed spectrum.

  • NextNav’s waveform is compatible with GPS waveforms
  • Currently operates in 47 markets
  • Customizable placement options for added resilience in critical areas
  • Similar to GPS, TerraPoiNT is an overlay network and can provide PNT independent of the communication network
  • Each transmitter has its own atomic clock which can operate independent of GPS
  • NextNav’s network is managed by a dedicated Network Operations Center (NOC)

Chipsets

Receivers for the TerraPoiNT system use a standalone GPS/GNSS chipset and integrated mobile chipset based on LTE/5G to deliver PNT services

High Performance

NextNav’s transmitters are 50% more energy efficient than GPS, and a low fix time comparable to GPS

Cybersecurity

TerraPoiNT adds a layer of resilience and security to GPS by delivering reliable, encrypted PNT signals

Partnerships

TerraPoiNT technology is licensed to multiple integrated circuit manufacturers such as Broadcom and GCT Semiconductor, which integrate TerraPoiNT with commercial ICs for both location and timing applications.

Testing

In extensive independent testing by the US Government and multiple tier 1 operators, TerraPoiNT demonstrated “best in class” system capabilities.

  • DOT and DHS testing of GPS backup technologies (2018, 2020)
  • CTIA/ATIS tests of vertical and horizontal performance (2016, 2018)
  • NASA is using the TerraPoiNT service for understanding urban drone operations

Standards

TerraPoiNT supports a wide variety of industry standards, including:

  • 3rd Generation Partnership Projection organization (3GPP) Release 13 and beyond
  • Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), including the Secure User-Plane Location protocol (SUPL) and the Mobile Location Protocol (MLP)

TerraPoiNT in the Field

  • Adds a layer of resilient PNT capabilities for telecom providers, power utility companies and other critical infrastructure industries to meet their current and future needs
  • Delivers accurate, highly available and secure PNT required for autonomous vehicles such as driverless cars and drones that operate in urban areas
  • Expands asset tracking capabilities to new markets with location capabilities indoors and in urban areas

Learn more about the application of TerraPoiNT

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