Next Generation Terrestrial 3D PNT

Resilient PNT. Powered by Spectrum. Delivered Over 5G.

The Need
The Solution

The Need

A Complement and Backup to
GPS is Needed

Today, GPS underpins everything — from critical infrastructure to transportation to financial systems and public safety. But reliance on a single system leaves America increasingly vulnerable to intentional disruptions like jamming and spoofing, as well as unintentional disruptions like space weather events. U.S. adversaries have already deployed terrestrial PNT backups. The United States has not.

We need a scalable, market-based complement and backup to GPS – and we need it now.

The Solution

Next Generation
Terrestrial 3D PNT

NextNav’s terrestrial solution to back up and complement space-based systems leverages existing 5G networks that are already deployed across AmericaThe solution delivers accurate & resilient 3D PNT, including indoors and in dense urban settings for public safety, industry, and national security, even if GPS is disrupted.

NextNav Terrestrial 3D PNT Features:

NextNav’s solution integrates seamlessly into mobile carrier networks using our 900 MHz spectrum. Once deployed, cell sites broadcast a 5G standard Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), from which NextNav’s application layer extracts accurate location and timing data. This creates a resilient terrestrial layer of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) that continues to operate even when GPS is unavailable. Importantly, the system leverages existing towers, backhaul, and 5G equipment.

Terrestrial

Provides a necessary backup to space-based systems because signals are stronger and less susceptible to jamming; it also performs better in urban canyons and indoors making it an important complement to GPS.

Widescale

Integrates with existing standards-based 5G networks that are already deployed across America.

Broadly available

Integrated with the mobile network ecosystem, it is broadly available to critical infrastructure, public safety and consumers.

Future-proof

A global standards-based foundation will help ensure that NextNav’s PNT solution is future-proof: remaining adaptable and aligned with advancing standards designed not only for current 5G needs, but also to support a smooth migration to more advanced capabilities in 5G and beyond

Licensed spectrum

NextNav is the largest license holder in the Lower 900 MHz band, the only spectrum band specifically designated for terrestrial positioning.

Vertical location accuracy

The vertical location or z-axis solution uses a network of fixed outdoor barometric reference sensors to help calibrate to an accurate z-axis location of a user’s mobile device (or other user equipment with a barometric sensor).

3D PNT expertise

NextNav brings its low-band spectrum licenses with the capacity required to carry the PRS signal, PNT-related intellectual property, technical expertise, and years of operational experience, including its z-axis capabilities, to enable terrestrial 3D PNT.

NextNav has developed IP to establish the level of network synchronization required for downlink PRS based PNT performance that is designed for scalability and efficiency.
NextNav has also developed advanced network design techniques for the selection of transmit parameters that minimize interference and deliver best-in-class PNT performance.
NextNav developed and operates a barometric pressure sensor-based z-axis solution, “Pinnacle,” that utilizes barometric pressure calibration and advanced data processing to deliver vertical positioning that will be integrated into the NextGen 3D PNT solution.

How It Works

Network Architecture and Synchronization
5G capabilities over the NextNav 900 MHz band will be built on partner 5G mobile network infrastructure and core networks. The NextGen 3D PNT solution is enabled in the 900 MHz band using a combination of 5G PRS signals and barometric pressure-based z-axis measurements (leveraging the same framework that has been widely adopted with NextNav Pinnacle).
- Standards-based 5G PRS signals for PNT enable broad device compatibility and wide scale system utilization.
- Scalable and economical network synchronization techniques designed to facilitate more accurately timed PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) transmissions from the 5G base station are built into the network to enable accurate PNT.
- Base station PRS positioning signal configurations are designed for low interference PRS signal reception from surrounding base stations at any point in the network to enable accurate PNT with an optimized combination of 5G standards-based features such as comb patterns, repetition, and muting.
- The NextNav 3D PNT platform provides PRS/barometric assistance and processing capabilities to deliver resilient 3-D positioning.
Positioning and Navigation

The PNT receiver (used for positioning and/or navigation) receives assistance from a server on the available positioning signals in the local area as well as the reference barometric pressure in the area. The assistance also includes the transmission coordinates of the positioning signals.

The receiver uses this assistance data to acquire positioning signals from multiple base stations for signal measurements including signal time of arrival and signal strength. The receiver may also use advanced signal processing to derive accurate signal timing for optimize performance.

The measurements from at least three base stations in the area combined with local reference barometric pressure measurements and supported with the assistance data allow for an accurate terrestrial 3-D positioning and/or navigation solution.
Timing

The PNT receiver (used for timing) receives assistance data from a server on the available positioning signals in the local area as well as the coordinates of the base station antenna.

The receiver uses this assistance to acquire positioning signals from one or more basestations and derives measurements including signal time of arrival and signal strength. The receiver may use advanced signal processing to derive accurate signal timing for best performance.

These measurements are used along with the coordinates of the transmitter to determine timing traceable to UTC.

Government and Industry

Ensuring accurate and resilient operation of PNT services for public safety, industry, and national security. as a complement and backup.

First Responders

Maintains location and timing in GPS-denied environments
Provides accurate x/y/z location for dispatch
Enhances situational awareness in critical operations

Critical Infrastructure

Ensures reliable timing for energy, telecom, and financial systems
Builds resilience into essential services
Provides for asset tracking and navigation for the safe production, transport and storage of materials for chemical, energy and Industrial sectors.

Mobile Network Operators

Unlocks valuable low-band spectrum for capacity and coverage
Builds on existing 5G infrastructure and core network

Transportation and Logistics

Improves asset tracking, timing, and coordination
Keeps supply chains moving even if GPS is compromised

Defense and National Security

Adds a terrestrial hedge to satellite vulnerabilities
Supports continuity of operations under threat conditions

Resources:

Our solution is backed by sound engineering and technical work:

5G PNT Network in Santa Clara County will mark the first real-world demonstration of a 5G-powered backup to GPS: NextNav to Begin Operating World’s First 5G-Powered PNT Network, Marking Major Step Toward Commercialization
NextNav Advances Commercial 5G-based 3D PNT Solution in Expanded Partnership with Japan’s MetCom
Field and lab demonstration of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) standards in 5G waveforms: NextNav Successfully Demonstrates Positioning Reference Signal-Based PNT Technology
NextGen network’s design, its use of 3GPP’s 5G NR PRS, and a summary of simulation data: Enabling Next-Generation Terrestrial Positioning, Navigation, and Timing and 5G: A Plan for the Lower 900 MHz Band (902-928 MHz) PFR, Exhibit A Technical Appendix

Let’s build resilience — together.

Contact us to learn more about the solution and discuss opportunities to collaborate on enhancing the solution further!

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Learn more about NextNav

A Complement and Backup to GPS is Needed

Next Generation Terrestrial 3D PNT

How It Works

Network Architecture and Synchronization

Positioning and Navigation

Timing

How It Works

Network Architecture and Synchronization

Positioning and Navigation

Timing

First Responders

Critical Infrastructure

Mobile Network Operators

Transportation and Logistics

Defense and National Security

Resources:

Stay in touch

A Complement and Backup to
GPS is Needed

Next Generation
Terrestrial 3D PNT