Episode 012 - Alternative PNT and Hollywood Spy Thrillers Come to Life - Part 1 of 2

“Words are the new weapons, satellites the new artillery.”

Jonathan Pryce’s villain Elliot Carver says to James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies right before he manipulates a GPS signal to make a British destroyer begin a confrontation with the Chinese military, may seem like the realm of pop culture; the idea of manipulating GPS signals and disrupting communications has long been a staple of spy thrillers like our favorite James Bond films. But while these scenarios make for thrilling entertainment, the reality is far more complex and consequential.

 

The invisible threads of satellite technology puppet our every move, from the ships traversing vast oceans to the cars navigating city streets. At the heart of this intricate web lies the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a constellation of satellites that provide precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) information to countless devices across the globe.

 

Recent news stories have highlighted the vulnerabilities of GNSS, from the possibility of signal jamming and spoofing to the potential for widespread disruption in the event of a satellite failure. This isn’t just in movies, a recent book by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius about a Russian space scientist who finds evidence of a system kill switch, that can turn off the Global Positioning System, on which every aspect of U.S. communications, transportation, and our economic lifeline depends on.

 

These risks are not just the stuff of fiction; they have real-world implications for our increasingly interconnected society.

 

Fortunately, advancements in alternative positioning and timing systems offer a promising solution. By harnessing the power of ground-based infrastructure, these technologies provide a resilient and secure alternative to satellite-based navigation, ensuring that our critical systems remain operational even in the face of adversity.

 

How can Microchip Technology help in securing our critical infrastructure, and help world leaders chart a course towards a future where the doomsday scenarios remain firmly in the realm of fiction?

 

This is part 1 of a two-part episode.

 

Links from the episode:

https://www.microchip.com/clock 

 

Guests: 

Greg Wolff