Advances in Satellite Navigation Technology Important for the Global Shipping Sector

BELGIUM – WORLDWIDE – Leuven headquartered Septentrio, which specialises in high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning solutions, announced today that its receiver has successfully authenticated navigation data of the first OSNMA encrypted GNSS satellite signal. OSNMA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) offers end-to-end authentication on a civilian signal, protecting receivers from spoofing attacks.

OSNMA is being pioneered by the Galileo Programme, with Septentrio providing a test bed for this technology from the end-user point of view. GNSS include such as the American GPS, European Galileo, Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou, Japan’s QZSS and India’s NavIC. These satellite constellations broadcast positioning information to receivers which use it to calculate their absolute position and can be vital to modern shipping practices.

Septentrio says the anti-spoofing capabilities of OSNMA will complement its own anti-jamming technology, AIM+, and further strengthen the overall security of Septentrio GNSS receivers. Jamming occurs when GPS frequency is overpowered by other RF radiation, which can be emitted by illegal devices called ‘jammers’. Spoofing is a malicious form of jamming where faulty coordinates are sent into the receiver.

Bruno Bougard, R&D Director at Septentrio said that the authentication of the Galileo signal using the OSNMA technology was ‘yet another first we are pleased to share with our close partner the European Space Agency (ESA)', and François Freulon, Head of the company’s Product Management, commented:

“Septentrio is committed to providing highly accurate and secure positioning and timing solutions to industrial applications and critical infrastructure. This is another example where Septentrio demonstrates its leadership in end-to-end GNSS receiver security with its breakthrough anti-jamming and anti-spoofing technology.

“Thanks to our future proof products, we will be rolling out OSNMA in our portfolio as soon as it is available. This will further enhance the security of our receivers ensuring robust, trustworthy and reliable operation even in the most challenging environments.”

The ESA (European Space Agency) and GSA (European GNSS Agency) have now commenced the testing phase of the OSNMA authentication, which will continue during the coming months. A fuller explanation of spoofing can be read HERE. In addition join Septentrio’s free webinar More GNSS signals: What's in it for you? HERE.