121 - Resilient PNT based on Lasers

GNSS-based systems are increasingly exposed to interference, RF jamming and spoofing. This is an unacceptable risk for safety‐critical operations. A laser-based positioning system can mitigate these threats through the inherent resilience and directionality of optical links. Narrow beams allow for selective PNT services and make interception or false-signal injection difficult. This results in a significantly more robust solution, providing a high-integrity backup or alternative to RF navigation. Such capability is particularly valuable for ILS and private PNT services, where continuity, integrity, and controlled coverage are essential.

The objective of this activity is to create and validate the concept of a Laser-Based Positioning System that employs a multi-beam optical receiver terminal capable of independent, real-time state estimation. Therefore, it must be able to acquire, demodulate PNT signals over an optical carrier wave. This system aims to provide a secure, interference- immune alternative to GNSS, SBAS or GBAS for critical infrastructure scenarios such as aircraft landing systems.

The tasks to be performed shall include:

•  Design a multi-beam optical receiver terminal capable of autonomously acquiring, tracking, and demodulating multiple laser beams.
•  Implement a PNT processing chain that utilizes ToA/TDoA/AoA (or a hybrid approach) for position determination on the receiver side.
•  Combine the optical transmitter and receiver subsystems into a functional prototype for a precision instrument approach and landing system. Multi-beam reception to be demonstrated on land.
•  Demonstrate an optical PNT link between the receiver protype developed under this activity carried by an aircraft and at least two transmitters on ground can be achieved. This will validate that PNT based on lasers is a viable option for a precision instrument approach and landing system.

The main outputs of the activity will consist of:

•  A demonstration that PNT signals can be transmitted over an optical carrier.
•  A mobile user terminal that autonomously acquires multiple laser beams and computes it position onboard in real-time.
•  Performance data of the prototype in flight compared to RF based ILS systems
•  Documentation of the design, testing procedures, and performance benchmarks.

It is noted that no Participating State expressed their opt-out for this activity (EL1-121).