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Session E8: PNT Open Systems Architecture 1

Employment of Open Architecture in Embedded GPS / INS Navigation Systems
Michael Litvin and Gurpreet Singh Bawa, Kearfott Corporation
Location: Room 1-3
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jun. 5, 8:55 a.m.

The pace at which threats to Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems are evolving is accelerating, necessitating these systems to likewise embrace enhanced adaptability in order to stay a step ahead of these emerging challenges. ‘Open Architecture’ facilitates flexibility and adaptability in the development and upgrading of GPS/INS systems. Traditionally, embedded navigation systems were built on closed, proprietary architectures, which made it challenging to update or modify them without the involvement of the original equipment manufacturer. With ‘Open Architecture’, however, the systems are designed using standard, well-documented interfaces and modular components. This approach allows for easier integration of new technologies or enhancements from various vendors, ensuring that the GPS/INS systems can be quickly adapted to meet evolving operational requirements or to incorporate advancements in technology.
In the context of defense and aerospace, where PNT systems are extensively used, the ability to seamlessly share and process information across platforms and services is crucial. Kearfott Corporation has taken a leading role introducing open architecture practices to the world of Embedded GPS / INS (EGI) Navigation Systems. We are implementing the Department of Defense’s Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), an ecosystem of open practices and standards for major acquisition projects, and the open avionics standards published by the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Consortium in our flagship navigation system as part of our participation in the Resilient Embedded GPS / INS (R-EGI) project. This is expected to include both familiar navigation data sources such as inertial measurement units and GNSS receivers, but also many include additional and novel data sources developed in the future.
While the modularity of the hardware via open interfaces – in Kearfott’s case, the 3U VPX form factor and interface standard - is important, implementation of software open standards is also key: Proper use of open standards will permit software modules to be added or replaced within the real-time operating system environment of Kearfott’s navigation software. Only certification of the new software module will be required, as opposed to recertification of the entire system. Examples of software modules used in this way might include data processing modules associated with novel navigation data sources, novel navigation algorithms, or improved anti-spoofing techniques or sources. This permits our system to robustly both adopt new subcomponents and be incorporated into new platforms with a minimum of cost and time from all parties.

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