15 June 2020 Chronos Technology, a leading resilient GNSS system integrator, has formed a partnership with the French technology company Syntony GNSS, a leader and expert in the design and manufacture of GNSS systems, to deliver underground GNSS positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions for critical infrastructure applications in the UK.

GNSS coverage has become fundamental to many services from emergency services to asset tracking for example. Yet when entering an underground area such as a metro/subway, tunnel, car park, airport, or bus station for example, the GNSS signal is lost.   Syntony’s SubWAVE™ solution expands the GNSS coverage to underground areas enabling the localisation of any equipment with a standard GNSS chipset, ie standard smartphone, TETRA or future Emergency Services Network handset, used for security (locate emergency calls, keep track of staff), maintenance (locate faults in tunnels, asset management) and services (locate trains, provide guidance).

By emitting a perfect emulation of the “real” GNSS signal, SubWAVE™ offers underground operators, their staff, emergency services and the general public the benefit of full GNSS coverage in all underground areas for both operational and safety reasons. One fundamental aspect is the user only needs a standard GNSS receiver (ie smartphone or TETRA radio); no new handsets, receivers or apps are required. The system operates by broadcasting synthetic location specific GNSS signals through existing or new leaky feeder cables in the tunnels. Accuracy levels vary with leaky feeder and system complexity options, however, 2 metre accuracy is possible with a standard smartphone. The system is widely installed in the Stockholm metro and is in active trials throughout Europe and America.

Charles Curry, Managing Director with Chronos said “Since its first general availability, one of the well-known shortcomings of the GPS system was lack of indoor or underground coverage. Many have tried to solve this with various technologies over the years – Syntony’s innovative technology offers underground GNSS coverage for PNT applications. We are very excited by the possibilities and pleased to be partnering with them to offer their solution for critical infrastructure applications in the UK.”

Joel Korsakissok, President of Syntony GNSS said “We are pleased to form a partnership with GNSS specialists Chronos. Their knowledge and experience, together with their dedicated installation, commissioning and support teams complement our sophisticated solutions.”

In addition, Chronos will also supply Syntony’s sophisticated GNSS simulators used in the aerospace and defence industries for product testing.

More information on SubWAVE is available here.