GNSS

DHS publishes free resources to protect critical infrastructure from GPS spoofing

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced today it has published the Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Integrity Library and Epsilon Algorithm Suite to protect against Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) spoofing, or deceiving a Global Positioning System (GPS) device through false signals. These resources advance the design of PNT systems and increase resilience of critical infrastructure to PNT disruptions.

PNT services, such as GPS, are a national critical function that enable many applications within the critical infrastructure sectors.

The PNT Integrity Library and Epsilon Algorithm Suite address this issue by providing users a method to verify the integrity of the received GPS data.

The PNT Integrity Library and Epsilon Algorithm Suite are open source and available free of charge. www.dhs.gov

NIST finalizes cybersecurity guidance for PNT systems

As part of an effort to help users apply its well-known Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as broadly and effectively as possible, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released finalized cybersecurity guidance for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services.

Formally titled Foundational PNT Profile: Applying the Cybersecurity Framework for the Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Services (NISTIR 8323), the document is part of NIST’s response to the Feb. 12, 2020, Executive Order 13905, Strengthening National Resilience Through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services. To develop the profile, NIST sought public input regarding the general use of PNT data before releasing a draft version in October 2020. The finalized version reflects public comments NIST received on the draft.

The “profile,” a term NIST uses to describe the application of the CSF to a specific implementation scenario, is intended to help mitigate the cybersecurity risks that confront PNT services. These services are important to national and economic security and include the Global Positioning Systems that are widely used by smartphone-based navigation apps, as well as split-second timing technologies that enable stock trading and efficient control of the power grid.

The main addition since the draft version was released is a “Quick Guide” intended to offer users an easier way to get started using the profile.

IT personnel might appreciate the extensive set of references the authors have included. These range from guidance already published by both government and private sector entities to academic papers and other technical sources. www.nist.gov

EU should make better use of its space assets

The European Union has not done enough to capitalise on its 18 billion euro ($21.6 billion) space programmes, including its Galileo satellite positioning system and Copernicus observation satellites, according to EU auditors.

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) found that the EU had failed to spell out the societal and economic benefits of its space programmes, or set clear targets or timeframes to achieve those benefits.

“Technologically, the EU has succeeded in becoming a global player in terms of space-based earth observation and navigation services. But the EU lacks a comprehensive approach for supporting the uptake of its space services to fully capitalise on the significant public investment made,” said Mihails Kozlovs, the ECA member responsible for the report.

The EU has spent 18.3 billion euros up to the end of 2020 and has earmarked more than 14 billion euros for the 2021- 2027 period. The biggest share of that investment is on Copernicus and Galileo, the two flagship satellite systems.

Copernicus was put to good use monitoring some EU policies, in agriculture, climate and maritime surveillance for example, the auditors said. But EU-wide use of its observation data remains restricted to scientists and experts, even though access to it was improved.

The Galileo programme, which has 26 satellites in orbit to provide an alternative to the U.S. GPS positioning system, was initially delayed by eight years when it began operating in 2016.

The auditors said progress had been made in introducing Galileo-compatible receivers, allowing it to be used in smartphones or cars. But it still lags the U.S. GPS system, and auditors said it will take time until Galileo is used more widely. www.reuters.com

NTIPRIT conducts webinar on NavIC

National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT), the apex training institute of Department of Telecommunications, Government of India conducted a webinar on April 28, 2021 on the topic “NavlC — Opportunities for the Telecom Industry” in collaboration with ISRO and Telecom Industry.

The webinar was inaugurated by Shri Anshu Prakash, Union Telecom Secretary and Chairman Digital Communications Commission (DCC). The inaugural session was also addressed by Shri K Ram Chand, Member (Technology), Digital Communications Commission (DCC), Sh. R Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO, and Sh. U.K. Srivastava, Sr DDG, NTIPRIT.

Sh. R Umamaheswaran, Scientific Secretary, ISRO briefed about the NaviC system and informed that it has higher accuracy than the peer systems. He further informed that there are plans to make NavIC available on L-1 band in addition to the presently used L-5 band. He felt that the NavIC system should be made mandatory for mobile phones released in Indian markets to adopt.

Shri Anshu Prakash, Union Telecom Secretary and Chairman DCC, while formally launching the webinar, underscored the importance of integration of technology with applications so as to reap the benefits of technology to the fullest. He supported the views of Sh. R Umamaheswaran for making NavlC mandatory for all mobile phones in India. Secretary (Telecom) also stressed the use of tracking potential of NavIC in the present Covid pandemic in tracking the oxygen tankers and other essentials. He also appreciated the efforts of telecom industry, including that of chipset and handset manufacturers in their efforts to adopt the NaviC service. www.pib.gov.in

Post-Brexit loss of shipping positioning systems alerts

On 1 January 2021, the UK’s Brexit transition period ended and it left the EU after years of negotiations between London and Brussels. The effects of the country’s “divorce” from the Union have been felt everywhere, in economic and socio-political terms.

As for shipping, Brexit was felt not only by UK ports with regards to fishing rights but it will also impact navigation systems.

As per Brexit accords, the UK is no longer participating in European satellitebased navigation systems such as Galileo and EGNOS and, from 25 June, will not receive access to EGNOS Safety of Life services when it’s rolled out, meaning mariners will not receive a signal whenever positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems suffer degradation.

According to George Shaw, principal development engineer at the UK General Lighthouse Authorities, this could cause problems both for mariners and ships. “We’re getting into more complex sea spaces, particularly around the UK, and the need for integrity is fundamental,” he says.

“The EGNOS system is one of the components that helped provide integrity for positioning.”

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is the first pan-European satellite navigation system. It augments the US GPS satellite navigation system and makes it suitable for safety critical applications such as flying aircraft or navigating ships through narrow channels.

Developed by European agencies such as the European Space Agency, the European Commission and Eurocontrol in 1998, EGNOS functions through a system of three geostationary satellites. Linked to a network of stations, EGNOS transmits a signal that contains information on the reliability of the information sent by the GPS, allowing for more accurate positioning.

“We need warnings to be reliable,” explains Shaw. “It’s a bit like crying wolf; if you cry wolf too often falsely, then you start to disbelieve the warnings. Integrity is like that you need to be able to trust that the warnings are real.”

In crowded sea spaces, false positioning could become a big issue, for mariners and vessels alike.

“With UK shipping passages getting rapidly busier and more constrained due to increases in traffic, ship size, offshore installations, environmentally sensitive areas, and blue economy uses such as aquaculture, ships will need more trustworthy and reliable PNT to enable high-precision navigation,” he adds.

“With seaborne trade set to double by 2030, the precision of position and timing data will become even more pivotal to the speed and efficiency of trade flows and help avoid widespread slowdown and disruption to our trade. Even though they are aware of the threat to the availability of GNSS and other PNT systems, mariners are usually less aware of the threat to the integrity of GNSS, which could hinder their safety.

“The guarantees that the EGNOS Safety of Life services provide give that confidence to mariners in being able to use the system,” he says. “We’re talking about potentially small errors in crowded sea spaces that can provide risks to navigation and take the vessel closer to danger.”

“Having precise systems like GPS is creating a temptation for mariners to sail safely but more closely to danger and therefore having an understanding of the likely uncertainties of positioning is becoming increasingly important.” What will change for British ships after 25 June is that even though will still be able to receive EGNOS signals, they will no access to assurances provided by the EGNOS Safety of Life Services.

“Integrity needs to be assured at the user level as well as the system level,” says Shaw. “This includes the system being able to detect and provide timely warnings to the user when it must not be used for the intended purpose.”

“Users must also be warned in a timely manner about any errors in the data incurred locally that impact its use for the intended purpose.”

To ensure that positioning systems are correct, Shaw says there are a few solutions.

“The UK now recognises the need for a ‘backstop’ to augment GNSS data and warn mariners when GNSS data is erroneous,” he concludes. “The key is a mix of space-based and terrestrial solutions that not only provide round-theclock availability of PNT data but also ensure that users can trust the correctness of that data, and act on it with confidence, by ensuring they have integrity at their core.” www.ship-technology.com