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The Honeywell Inifinidome GPS Dome protects drones from GPS interference. | Image credit: Honeywell

Honeywell has signed a collaboration agreement with InfiniDome to jointly develop and deliver GPS signal protection systems. The solutions are intended to serve a variety of purposes for both defense and commercial applications, and to support a wide range of vehicle platforms, including commercial aircraft, urban air mobility systems, unmanned aerial systems and surface vehicles.

Protecting GPS signals from denial

Around the world, GPS signals are used for navigation in both the commercial and military markets, but consistent connection with these signals, while critical, is not always achievable. Even the latest systems can encounter issues in “GPS-denied” environments, where signal service is marginal or blocked. Reception issues can occur in dense urban areas, such as near tall buildings or under bridges. In these instances, it is important for air and surface vehicles to be equipped with technology to readily handle signal disruption and maintain access to critical navigation and timing information. As more small vehicles take to the skies and roads in heavily populated areas, GPS signal availability must be maintained to provide accurate navigation, ensure safety and protect property.

“In combining Honeywell’s best-in-class navigation sensors with leading-edge GPS resilience technology from InfiniDome, we’re working to develop a first-of-its-kind holistic solution built on tightly integrated layers of protection for all uses of navigation for unmanned air and ground vehicles,” said Omer Sharar, CEO, InfiniDome. “InfiniDome is proud to be working collaboratively with Honeywell to bring about the next generation of GPS protection technology.”

The joint solution is designed to be a best-in-class navigation platform that can seamlessly handle loss or lack of GPS signals, therefore greatly reducing the likelihood of collisions and detour. Additionally, this will allow customers to increase payloads and decrease mission times with the omission of the expensive sensors currently employed to handle GPS interferences — which grow more prevalent by the day.

Complete solution in a single package

The Honeywell-InfiniDome solutions will include hardware, software and services that bring customers increased value compared with existing systems. The technology will also support public safety for quickly evolving low-altitude applications such as cargo drones and urban air transportation vehicles. The initial solution offering is expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2022.

“Intentional GPS jamming and spoofing incidents are on the rise, and this partnership will enable a rapid solution to this critical industry need,” said Matt Picchetti, vice president and general manager, Navigation & Sensors, Honeywell Aerospace. “This partnership will create world-class solutions that will help accelerate the future of flight, especially in urban areas.”