Brenda Marie Rivers
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated the first software-defined GPS receiver, which was designed for rapid GPS signal tracking, during a recently concluded test flight with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory Sensors Directorate.
The SDR platform, which is based on a system-on-chip framework, detected and tracked an advanced GPS signal called M-code in real time as part of the demonstration, Northrop said Friday.
Vern Boyle, vice president of advanced technologies at Northrop, said the new navigation technology will provide increased agility and help customers in outpacing enemy threats.
Northrop also passed the GPS Directorate’s Certification Requirements Review for the GPS receiver and expects to eventually field the system in unclassified environments.
