Session P5: GNSS Systems Timing Architectures and Capabilities

Benefits of Optical Technology for PNT System Timing Capabilities
Jose Angel Avila Rodriguez, David Ibanez, Daniel Blonski, European Space Agency; Gabriele Giorgi, Manuele Dassié, Juraj Poliak, Janis Surof, Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt
Location: Seaview A/B
Date/Time: Thursday, Jan. 30, 1:50 p.m.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems Medium Earth Orbit are currently the only worldwide, free technology providing accurate PNT data. As applications reliant on PNT grow, the demand for reliable, accurate, and resilient services rises. Recently, optical technology has matured, becoming a viable option of future PNT systems. Optical links between satellites boost orbit accuracy and clock synchronization significantly, reducing dependency on extensive ground infrastructure. Bi-directional optical laser links between ground and space assets offer robust and precise time synchronization capabilities with benefits for future PNT system and their utilisation as part of novel applications. This paper highlights how optical technology enhances synchronization and timing performance in support of future PNT systems and applications.