Globalstar, Echo Ridge Offer GPS Backup Tech to DOT

A view of Globalstar offices. Photo credit: Globalstar

Globalstar and Echo Ridge developed and are prepared to support a live field demonstration of a stand-alone Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capability to backup and/or complement GPS in case of GPS unavailability or unreliability. The companies have informed the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The companies responded on June 3 to a DOT announcement and request for information regarding DOT’s plans to conduct a field demonstration of technologies capable of providing backup and/or complementary PNT in the event of a temporary disruption to GPS. Globalstar and Echo Ridge informed the DOT that all required elements are available now for demonstration of a backup system that provides diversity of frequency, constellation, and signal to the existing GPS system, as well as independent ground and management infrastructure.

“The Department of Transportation, coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, has recognized the need to ensure that reliable PNT information remains available to support U.S. critical infrastructure, even in case of GPS interruption,” said Joe Kennedy, President of Echo Ridge. “Globalstar and Echo Ridge are pleased to be able to offer to DOT a demonstration of our unique, independent assured PNT technology that can provide a dependable backup and/or complement to GPS.”